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Utrecht Court Acquits Two Men in 17‑Year‑Old Rape Case

An appeal by the Public Prosecution followed by a planned higher appeal from the victim focuses attention on how Dutch law defines a 'particularly vulnerable' position.

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Honderden mensen demonstreerden vanmiddag in Utrecht tegen een vrijspraak in een verkrachtingszaak
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Overview

  • The court on Thursday cleared 45-year-old former police employee Walco B. and his 48-year-old friend of the alleged rape of a 17-year-old after a trial in Utrecht.
  • Judges said sexual acts took place and described the victim's testimony as reliable but ruled the prosecution did not prove the statutory requirement that the girl had been in a 'particularly vulnerable position'.
  • The Public Prosecution has lodged an appeal against the acquittal and the victim, through lawyer Maaike Rotgans, is preparing a separate higher appeal.
  • About 700 demonstrators gathered at the Utrecht courthouse, organized by Dolle Mina and joined by victim advocates, who protested the verdict and called for stronger legal protections for complainants.
  • Legal experts say the case highlights the high bar for proving 'particularly vulnerable' under Dutch law and that the appeals could clarify how courts should treat consent, vulnerability and survival reactions in sexual‑assault prosecutions.