Victim blaming in Ali B. case also harmful to future sex victims, says expert: 'Soon think three times about reporting'
The public opinion toward the women who reported Ali B. was so harsh that it is feared that the threshold of going to the police has become higher for future sex victims. "Those think three times before they report," he said.
They would want it themselves, be slutty, lose it 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 against 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."
Thinking three times
For Slachtofferhulp Nederland, she counsels men and women in court. That often includes vice cases. According to her, the women in the case of Ali B., who is suspected of two sexual assaults and two rapes, are bound to wonder if they did the right thing because what is coming at them is so intense. "Whereas we have to look at the facts and what happened," she said.
In doing so, it will also have an effect on victims in other vice cases, she believes. "If a victim witnesses what is being said, they think three times before they report it," Dubbeling said. "'What if I get a media circus too? Or that people don't believe me or think I'm a poser or have some other motive than getting justice?'"
'Things not fun for victim'
Harsh statements were also made about the victims in the room itself, by attorney Bart Swier. Dubbeling understands that the lawyer went in "hard. "You represent your client's interests," she says. "But there is a risk of victim blaming in that, you also saw that in this case."
It is important to explain well in advance what a victim will face. "What does the process look like? The defendant may come up with a different story or remain silent, know that that is possible," Dubbeling says. But she also mentions the role of the opposing lawyer. "Who says things that are not nice for a victim."
"Can we stick to the facts?
Dubbeling did a case of a 12-year-old girl who had been abused by her stepfather. "At the hearing, it was said about the girl that she dressed defiantly herself," she says. "She was portrayed in the hearing as disrupted; she had made it up. How damaging can that be to a girl?"
Doubling had to convince her not to hesitate. "Fortunately, it ended well," she said. The lawyer said the lawyer had to treat the victim with respect. "Sometimes it goes really far, then I think: we can also stick to facts without portraying the victim as a slut, which often happens."
'No signals seen'
Attorney Swier said one of the returns had "every appearance of being false," though he stressed that this did not have to be the case. Less than 5 percent of returns are false, lawyer Dubbeling said. "Few victims, without it being true, would start an entire criminal case like that," she says.
Ali B. asked for acquittal on all the facts. "2.5 years it was a rollercoaster for me. Did I miss signals? I didn't see any signals." The prosecution says it has no reason to doubt the women's statements. They demanded 3 years of unconditional imprisonment against the rapper.
All-or-nothing feeling
A vice case is incredibly tough, says Dubbeling. They are intense facts for which a "spirited" police interrogation first awaits. "What also makes it difficult is that they 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 can possibly get compensation, although many don't want that at all," she says. Or there is 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. "Exoneration doesn't mean they don't believe you, it means it's not legally feasible."
