this post was submitted on 02 Apr 2025
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[–] Kbibble@lemm.ee 27 points 1 day ago (4 children)

This article feels super rage bait-y to be honest. Like my first reaction at the title is of course, being like "thats fucked up" but as im reading it, it feels like this article was written in a manipulative way. There's no sources at all, can't find any using English google, decided to literally figure out how to search Dutch google in Dutch just to find something more reputable and there's only this one site, which has 2 articles, the only 2 links in either is one article pointing to the other, and another link to what is clearly (from the add/article layout) a Belgium tabloid of some kind.

Like nothing about the people involved or the situation, but this website is some shit, and so is the other one covering this. They may be on the right side of this story but this website itself feels incredibly un-credible, and I wouldn't think to assume Belgium has some sort of news media problem where like, the gossip tabloids are the last bastions fighting for bodily autonomy and consent, where it would make sense that there is no other source.

[–] wtckt@lemm.ee 6 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Thanks. That's the kind of comments Reddit was great for a long time ago. Now it's just immediate jump to outrage without anyone reading the article or doing any research when in doubt. And you even posted your conclusion. That's just very very helpful

[–] SpaceCadet@feddit.nl 1 points 1 day ago

Except the comment is absolute horseshit. Vrt is the public broadcasting and news service and absolutely not a tabloid, furthermore this story is well documented and has been all over Belgian news for a week so it's absolutely uncalled for to call the veracity of this story into question.

If you want a source, here is a direct link to the verdict: https://rechtbanken-tribunaux.be/sites/default/files/media/reatpi/leuven/files/correctioneel-vonnis-leuven-1-april-2025.pdf

Feel free to cross reference with the article and point out inaccuracies. As far as I can tell, the article is factual but perhaps a bit short on details and context. Nevertheless, this story has been covered extensively and much more in depth in Dutch on the same website. In fact, I retrieved the link to the verdict from an article on vrt.be.

[–] SpaceCadet@feddit.nl 3 points 1 day ago

vrt.be is a very reputable site and not a tabloid. It belongs to the Flemish public broadcasting service, and they mostly write articles in Dutch. They do have an English section as well, though obviously it's not as thorough as their Dutch site. After all, we are a Dutch speaking region.

I can assure you that this case is very real, and has been all over the Belgian media the past week. Just google "verkrachter leuven", and you'll literally find hundreds of news articles about this case.

decided to literally figure out how to search Dutch google in Dutch just to find something more reputable

Looks like you didn't do a very good job then.

[–] unemployedclaquer@sopuli.xyz 2 points 1 day ago

you could use an editor, same here

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[–] Bloomcole@lemm.ee 18 points 1 day ago (1 children)

There is going to be a new trial, everybody chill out.

[–] unemployedclaquer@sopuli.xyz 12 points 1 day ago (1 children)

fuck if i understand belgian law, but it seems appropriate to say what the fuck is this

[–] MystikIncarnate@lemmy.ca 2 points 1 day ago

I don't think it matters where this happened. IMO, "what the fuck is this" is the appropriate reaction to giving no consequences for rape. This would also apply to a litany of other offenses, but in this case rape.

I also think rape is one of the worst things anyone could do to another, right up there with slavery, torture, and other, similar things. I would consider murder to be less offensive, since at least then the person doesn't have to work through the trauma after. It's a mercy. Still unacceptable in a civilized society, but anything you have to live the rest of your life dealing with, is worse IMO.

A fate worse than death. In this case, getting SA'd, and having your attacker convicted and let go because of bullshit like this. Idk about you all, but that would fuck me right up.

[–] SkunkWorkz@lemmy.world 16 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

In Belgium a couple of years ago a brown student died during a hazing at a fraternity. Every one involved , all white and sons of doctors, lawyers and judges, basically came away scott free. They were all sentenced to community service and weren’t found guilty for criminal negligence.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Sanda_Dia

Belgium has a elitism problem. Bet if this rapist was a brown medical student or a street sweeper or something he would’ve gotten jail time.

[–] DoucheBagMcSwag@lemmy.dbzer0.com 15 points 1 day ago (10 children)
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[–] Flax_vert@feddit.uk 33 points 1 day ago (1 children)

no sentence be passed as this would result in the accused having great difficulty in finding work in the medical profession.

I wonder why the medical profession doesn't want rapists.... 🤔

[–] Geetnerd@lemmy.world 19 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Oh, and he's going to be an OB/GYN.

Just a coincidence, of course. Because he cares that much about women.

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[–] Jax@sh.itjust.works 61 points 2 days ago (3 children)

" By finding him guilty but not punishing him, he will be made to feel guilty and the chance of him reoffending will be prevented, without socially impairing the man "

So that judge is either a rapist or an idiot.

I would say he's a rapist, yes. He clearly doesn't consider rape to be a problem.

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[–] Saleh@feddit.org 7 points 1 day ago (5 children)

Obligatory reminder that Belgium has a unresolved problem with a pedophile ring raping and murdering children with impunity, enjoying protection and likely having direct involvement of the highest ranks of politics, police and judiciary.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/1774436.stm

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[–] RymrgandsDaughter@lemmy.world 22 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Well let's Brock Allen Turner this motherfucker

[–] slingstone@lemmy.world 14 points 1 day ago (2 children)

What's the guys name? You're right that we need to treat him like that other rapist, Brock Allen Turner.

[–] DoucheBagMcSwag@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 7 hours ago* (last edited 7 hours ago)

It was posted here by someone but it got removed. I guess we reddit now

Oh well, wonder where I can search to what a promising career looks like to a rapist

[–] lordofthepants@sh.itjust.works 8 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Are you guys talking about the rapist, Brock Allen Turner, or a different rapist named Brock Allen Turner?

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[–] chrischryse@lemmy.world 44 points 2 days ago

Ok I can understand if he was caught with pot, drug paraphernalia, or drunk driving (without injuring someone).

But raping someone? Idc if you’re talented or have a bright future you should have it on your record or face a punishment like probation

[–] Jumpingspiderman@lemmy.world 7 points 1 day ago (3 children)

JFC, I was afraid this was in the US. I'm not pleased to realize there are other places just as fucked up. Though in the US the excuse for letting him off would have to be that he was rich, not brilliant.

[–] milicent_bystandr@lemm.ee 4 points 1 day ago

Belgium, for those wondering.

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[–] explodicle@sh.itjust.works 26 points 2 days ago (6 children)

The man hasn't been named by Belgian media. 😠

Internet detectives, hear my call! Find the name of this rapist so that we may plaster it everywhere like the rapist Brock Turner!

[–] SirQuack@feddit.nl 4 points 1 day ago (2 children)

The man hasn't been named by Belgian media.

Yes, because that's illegal in Belgium, if not the EU.

The man has been suspended from his university though

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[–] jsomae@lemmy.ml 16 points 2 days ago (7 children)

They were both drunk. She was more drunk.

[–] milicent_bystandr@lemm.ee 10 points 1 day ago

Thanks for pointing this out.

He claims that he asked her several times if she consented and that he had been given the impression that she did.

Seems like it was more of an "unintentional rape", like manslaughter is unintentional murder. Wrong: yes. Bad judgment: yes. Deliberate malice: maybe not.

[–] farngis_mcgiles@sh.itjust.works 5 points 1 day ago (3 children)

yeah i fail to see how this is rape. i guess every drunken hookup we later regret is a rape

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