Public opinion towards the women who filed charges once morest Ali B. was so harsh that it is feared that the threshold for future sex victims to go to the police has become higher. “They will think three times before they file charges.”
They would want it themselves, be slutty, don’t know what to do anymore because of drugs or want to become famous themselves. They stepped forward too late and ‘thickened’ the story. Examples of victim blaming in the case once morest rapper and media personality Ali B.. Blaming the victim is ‘very damaging’, says lawyer Floor Dubbeling. “While it is actually good that it has come to light and is being prosecuted in such a case.”
Think three times
For Victim Support Netherlands, she guides men and women in court. There are often sexual offences among them. According to her, the women in the case of Ali B., who is suspected of two assaults and two rapes, will probably wonder whether they did the right thing, because what is coming their way is so intense. “While we have to look at the facts and what happened.”
It will also have an effect on victims in other sexual offences, she thinks. “If a victim hears what is being said, they will think three times before they report it,” says Dubbeling. “‘What if there is a media circus in my case too? Or that people don’t believe me or think I am a poser or have other motives than getting justice?’.”
‘Things that are not fun for the victim’
Also in the courtroom itself, harsh statements were made regarding the victims, by lawyer Bart Swier. Dubbeling understands that the lawyer went in ‘hard’. “You represent the interests of your client”, she says. “But there is a risk of victim blaming, you saw that in this case too”.
It is important to explain in advance what a victim can expect. “What does the process look like? The suspect can come up with a different story or remain silent, know that that is possible,” says Dubbeling. But she also mentions the role of the opposing party’s lawyer. “They say things that are not nice for a victim.”
also look at
“Can we stick to the facts?”
Dubbeling handled a case of a 12-year-old girl who had been abused by her stepfather. “In court, it was said that the girl was dressed provocatively,” she says. “She was portrayed in court as disordered, she had made it up. How damaging can that be for a girl?”
Dubbeling had to convince her not to hesitate. “Luckily it turned out well.” The lawyer said that the lawyer had to treat the victim with respect. “Sometimes it really goes too far, then I think: we can also stick to the facts without portraying the victim as a slut, which often happens.”
‘No signals seen’
Lawyer Swier said that one of the reports ‘had every appearance of being a false report’, although he emphasized that this did not have to be the case. Less than 5 percent of the reports are false, says lawyer Dubbeling. “Few victims would start such a whole criminal case without it being true,” she says.
Ali B. asked for acquittal on all charges. “It was a rollercoaster for me for 2.5 years. Did I miss any signals? I didn’t see any signals.” The Public Prosecution Service says it has no reason to doubt the women’s statements. They demanded a 3-year unconditional prison sentence for the rapper.
All or nothing feeling
A morals case is incredibly difficult, says Dubbeling. These are serious facts for which a ‘tough’ interrogation by the police awaits first. “What also makes it difficult is that these are one-on-one situations. Every case needs supporting evidence,” she says. That creates an all-or-nothing feeling.
“Either there is a conviction, then you have recognition and you can possibly get compensation, although many do not want that at all,” she says. Or there is an acquittal, often a ‘slap in the face’ for victims. How the case is conducted and what is in the verdict is therefore important, according to Dubbeling. Because victims want to feel heard and recognized. “Acquittal does not mean that they do not believe you, it means that it is not legally feasible.”
embed Place this item on your own site
Victim blaming in Ali B. case also harmful to future sex victims, says expert
questions? Ask them!
Do you have any questions or would you like to respond? Then send us a message in our chat here. Every Thursday we will tell you in the Do-me newsletter what we do with all the responses. Do you want that in your mail? Then sign up here.
