this post was submitted on 02 Apr 2025
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[–] Kbibble@lemm.ee 27 points 2 days 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 2 days 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

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[–] SpaceCadet@feddit.nl 4 points 2 days 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.

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[–] Bloomcole@lemm.ee 18 points 2 days ago (1 children)

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

[–] unemployedclaquer@sopuli.xyz 12 points 2 days 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 2 days 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 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days 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.

[–] Jax@sh.itjust.works 61 points 3 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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[–] Flax_vert@feddit.uk 33 points 2 days 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 2 days 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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[–] DoucheBagMcSwag@lemmy.dbzer0.com 15 points 2 days ago (14 children)
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[–] chrischryse@lemmy.world 44 points 3 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

[–] RymrgandsDaughter@lemmy.world 22 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Well let's Brock Allen Turner this motherfucker

[–] slingstone@lemmy.world 14 points 2 days 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 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day 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 2 days 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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[–] explodicle@sh.itjust.works 26 points 3 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 2 days 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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[–] Saleh@feddit.org 6 points 2 days 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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[–] jsomae@lemmy.ml 16 points 2 days ago (7 children)

They were both drunk. She was more drunk.

[–] milicent_bystandr@lemm.ee 10 points 2 days 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 2 days 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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[–] SpaceNoodle@lemmy.world 168 points 4 days ago (3 children)

This reminds me of the rapist Brock Turner, aka Allen Turner, the rapist.

[–] Chip_Rat@lemmy.world 104 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Oh Allen Turner? Who started using his middle name instead of Brock Turner? Because he raped an unconscious woman behind a dumpster? That guy? (Brock/Allen Turner?)

I just want to be sure I'm thinking of the right guy...

https://www.cnn.com/2016/06/06/us/sexual-assault-brock-turner-stanford/index.html

This Brock Allen Turner right?

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[–] DV8@lemmy.world 94 points 3 days ago (31 children)

Oh wow, something from Belgium showed up here. Obviously most reactions are the same here. But I would urge everyone to read more details about this. As there much more uncomfortable nuance here. One of those being that the dude is also in agreement he did something wrong. He also gave a relatively accurate description of the events of that evening that got proven with phone records and CCTV at different locations. Making his account of what happened at the least somewhat reliable.

Obviously the woman could not consent because she was drunk as fuck. And she's allowed to get drunk as fuck without being taken advantage off. CCTV showed them kissing at the bar they met. Phone records show he tried to call her friend she was supposed to go home with. CCTV shows them going to that friend's dorm and not getting in and waiting there for half an hour. Then they walk back to his place while kissing on the way there. The morning after his messages to her indicate he wants to continue seeing her. (https://m.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf20250402_95297572?journeybuilder=nopaywall but it's in Dutch)

Again, she could not consent, and he as the least drunk of both of them bears the responsibility of this. I do think he should have had some form of punishment above of what he got and for the woman's feeling of safety a restraining order like she asked. And something that would have made mandatory counselling and follow-up possible. Not to mention that although justice in Belgium isn't supposed to be revenge, it should also cause some sort of satisfaction for the victim.

This situation just shows that the definition of rape over the decades has become more complex and nuanced, but unfortunately the tools to deal with this have not. This dude definitely did something wrong, but he's not just a vicious predator.

[–] milicent_bystandr@lemm.ee 4 points 2 days ago

Thank you for providing more information.

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[–] Jumpingspiderman@lemmy.world 7 points 2 days 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 2 days ago

Belgium, for those wondering.

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[–] But_my_mom_says_im_cool@lemmy.world 65 points 3 days ago (1 children)

So if he’s gonna rape as a med student, he’s definitely gonna rape as a doctor. And that judge is a rapist too, judging from their warped views

[–] beansbeansbeans@lemmy.world 12 points 3 days ago (2 children)

I thought the same thing. The judge is too lenient and I question their morality.

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[–] natecox@programming.dev 123 points 4 days ago (4 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

What a load of horse shit. “Letting him get away with rape penalty free will ensure he doesn’t do it again” is some crazy fucking logic. Seems like knowing there are no consequences for your actions would make repeating the offense significantly more likely.

[–] gonzo-rand19@moist.catsweat.com 56 points 4 days ago

It's funny that the court would explicitly legitimize the idea that some people deserve to be "socially impaired" and others do not despite committing exactly the same crime.

Funny in the sense that it contradicts the entire foundation that the legal system is based on and makes the court look illegitimate and deliberately corrupt.

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[–] HK65@sopuli.xyz 89 points 4 days ago (1 children)
[–] keen@lemmy.world 105 points 4 days ago (17 children)

Don't worry, that's not the real reason. The real reason is most likely that the perpetrators family is rich and the victim's family isn't.

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[–] kiagam@lemmy.world 29 points 3 days ago (5 children)

And when I say I don't trust judges and that the justice system of most places is broken for giving a single person the final decision power, based on whatever they think is right, people say I'm trolling.

Judges pull decisions out of their ass to fulfill whatever interest they have. Or sometimes just because they are stupid.

Good judges are super rare.

[–] SpongyAneurism@lemmy.frozeninferno.xyz 4 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Yeah, better let the internet mob, who barely takes time to read an understand a newspaper article, pass judgement.

That's a judiciary system I'd want to live under.

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[–] gonzo-rand19@moist.catsweat.com 58 points 4 days ago (9 children)

The conviction will not appear on the man’s criminal record. However, if he reoffends, he will be sentenced for this rape as well as for the new offence.

Why wait to be proven wrong? I don't understand. Rapists shouldn't be doctors.

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