A man has been given a three-year suspended sentence for assault with a homophobic motive and sexism by the Brussels Criminal Court for an attack perpetrated two and a half years ago in the Belgian capital's gay district.
The incident took place in June 2022 when the victim was leaving a show with friends. The defendant insulted the group with homophobic slurs. When the victim intervened, the defendant called him a “dirty whore” and physically attacked him. The victim suffered serious injuries and a temporary inability to work.
The Centre for Equal Opportunities and Opposition to Racism (UNIA) and the Institute for the Equality of Women and Men (IEFH) issued a statement on Friday, highlighting the significance of the Court's ruling. “This judgement is particularly significant as it represents a notable advancement in combating sexist and discriminatory attacks in Belgium,” the institutions commented.
The court identified the term “dirty whore” as constituting sexism, stating it expressed the defendant’s contempt for someone he viewed as inferior due to their sex. This decision aligns with the 2014 law on sexism in public spaces, which has rarely been invoked in legal proceedings.
“From 2014 to 2022, the Institute recorded 22 decisions referencing this law, with 10 concluding in an offence,” IEFH spokesperson Véronique De Baets said.
In addition to sexism, the court established that the assault was motivated by discriminatory intent based on gender expression and sexual orientation. “This recognition highlights the intersectional nature of the case and reflects the complex discriminations experienced by those at the intersection of multiple vulnerabilities,” UNIA and IEFH noted.
The defendant received a three-year suspended sentence, and will also have to undergo psychological follow-up and participate in a “responsibility group” for offenders.
The victim was awarded €9,000 in damages, while UNIA and the IEFH received symbolic compensations.
In 2023, UNIA reported an increase in cases related to sexual orientation, including discrimination, hate speech, and hate acts.
That year, the most recent one for which figures are available, the centre processed 157 cases related to sexual orientation. This amounted to 8% of all cases closed, a percentage that has doubled since 2020.
