At the age of 15, Justine was subjected to a brutal attack that was filmed. She was assaulted by people who had set a trap for her following an argument, people whom she called her friends. “I was immediately stripped of my glasses. I mightn’t see anything anymore. I felt the blows. It was blow following blow. I was just waiting for one thing, for it to end,” she recounted to RTL Info. Despite six years having passed, the case has not progressed and has even been closed without further action by the courts, allegedly due to a lack of resources. Justine has been left with physical and psychological scars that will last until her death, and she is demanding justice. Her lawyer, Maître Fabrice Guittadauria, testified that the situation was serious and the criminal response was crucial. However, an appeal will be filed, and the case should go to criminal or civil court.
When she was only 15, Justine was the victim of a violent filmed attack. At the time, she was hit by people who set a trap for her following an argument. People she considered her “friends”.
“I was immediately removed from my glasses. I mightn’t see anything anymore. I felt the blows. It was blow following blow. I was just waiting for one thing, for it to end, ”she told RTL Info.
6 years later, nothing has happened. The case is not progressing and has even been closed without further action by the courts. The Mons public prosecutor’s office explains this by a lack of means.
“The criminal response was essential”
She says she has lifelong physical and psychological scars from this tragedy. “Here, it’s carnival in my city, I’m always with my sister or with my dad. Otherwise I’m too scared. The consequences, psychological and physical, I will have them all my life, until my death”, she says before continuing: “I want justice to be done”.
“The facts are serious. The aggression is violent and shocking. They had this video on file. The criminal response was essential, ”testifies Justine’s lawyer, Maître Fabrice Guittadauria. However, an appeal will be lodged. The case should go to criminal or civil.
Justine’s story is a painful reminder of the injustice and trauma that can result from senseless acts of violence. Despite the severity of the attack she suffered, her case has been left without resolution for six long years. But Justine and her lawyer remain determined to fight for justice. As we continue to grapple with issues of violence and discrimination in our society, it is crucial that we support survivors like Justine and demand accountability for those who have caused harm. Only then can we hope to make progress towards a safer and more just world.
