KU Leuven announced on Friday that it is conducting a disciplinary investigation into a gynaecology student who was found guilty of rape and sexual assault by the Leuven Criminal Court.
The 24-year-old student is no longer allowed to enter university premises. "The current investigation is the first step in the procedure as defined in the student disciplinary regulations," the university stated. "These regulations clearly outline expected student behaviour, with a particular emphasis on respect and responsibility."
Anyone violating these regulations risks sanctions ranging from a simple warning to exclusion from certain educational activities or exams, temporary suspension, or permanent expulsion from the university.
Guilty without punishment
The gynaecology student was found guilty on Tuesday of raping a fellow student in November 2023. The Leuven Criminal Court deemed the acts "serious and socially unacceptable."
Nevertheless, due to his young age, clean criminal record, and talent, the judge did not issue a sentence. "By finding him guilty but not imposing a sentence, he will realise his guilt and future offences will be prevented, without disrupting the man socially," the judge said.
Court in Leuven where the Leuven Public Prosecutor's Office is also housed. Credit: Courts and tribunals of Belgium
On Thursday, the Leuven Public Prosecutor's Office appealed the verdict.
The university hospital of Leuven (UZ Leuven), where the medical student was interning, suspended him earlier this week as a precautionary measure.
'His degree over our dignity'
The court decision has sparked widespread outrage, especially on social media, where numerous messages of solidarity with the victim have been posted.
Protests took place in Leuven and Ghent on Thursday, with demonstrators voicing their opposition to the court ruling and sexual violence.
Many demonstrators in Leuven carried signs with slogans referring to the judge's reasons for the verdict. "What about her talent?" and "His degree over our dignity" read some of the signs of the people who gathered at the Herbert Hooverplein at around 18.00 on Thursday.
Signs at the protest in Leuven. Credit: Belga / Jill Delsaux
"I don't know a single friend who hasn't been assaulted at least once," said Tess, a 20-year-old student at the University Colleges Leuven-Limburg at the protest. "When it happens, it's very difficult to talk about it. But when someone has the courage to talk about it, this happens," she said. "This impunity must stop."
Jonah, a 28-year-old Master's student at KU Leuven, also wanted to make her voice heard. "It's not right for a judge to suspend a sentence because of someone's education and age," she said. "The victims have to be taken seriously. This must never happen again."
Image from protest in Leuven. Credit: Belga / Jill Delsaux
The protest was organised by two students, Hanna De Boe and Femke Beutels. "We want to show that sexually inappropriate behaviour is not okay. No woman should ever be a victim of sexual violence again," they said.
"It is also unacceptable that someone who has the prospect of a supposedly good career gets away with it, while someone else who does not have the same career does not," they added.
