The VUB lodged a complaint with the Brussels public prosecutor’s office on Monday 24 October following incidents that occurred in the context of activities organized by the Solvay student circle. The students concerned are now banned from campus during the investigation. The information is confirmed by the Brussels public prosecutor’s office.
“The Vrije Universiteit Brussel has very recently been informed of a large-scale inappropriate behavior that has occurred around the activities of a student circle. These may be criminal offences”, explains Jan Danckaert, rector of the VUB. “Disciplinary proceedings once morest the students involved and protective measures have been taken. Students are banned from campus, student circle activities are temporarily suspended.”
The facts took place during a TD on the theme of rapper 50 Cent on October 6th. The incidents include sexual activity involving female students who have had to perform sex games with their male colleagues, wet t-shirt contests that have gone wrong, and stripteases. The limits have clearly been exceeded but the VUB refuses to comment further while the investigation is ongoing.
“The victims are not alone”
Legal and psychological assistance is provided by the VUB to the victims. “Inappropriate behavior is not tolerated at VUB. Not now, not tomorrow, not ever. Our YANA information point (You Are Not Alone) takes every complaint very seriously, as well as every person who comes to lodge this complaint. When inappropriate behavior occurs, we take action and provide the necessary assistance and support for the people who report it and for the victims of this behavior throughout the very difficult trial for them. They are not alone.”
The activities organized in this circle are reminiscent of those of the Flemish circle Reuzegom, which notably led to the death of a student, Sanda Dia, in December 2018. The 20-year-old Senegalese had swallowed alcohol and fish oil. He had also had to stay several hours in a pit filled with freezing water and had died of hypothermia a few days later in hospital.
