Another case of abuse at Groningen’s Vindicat student society

The newspaper Dagblad van het Noorden reports that another member of Groningen’s Vindicat fraternity was abused in December. The society failed to report the incident to the university or the municipal authorities, which constituted a violation of agreements it had entered into previously.

According to Dagblad van het Noorden, the victim suffered a mild concussion, damage to his teeth and a cut to his nose. He reported two 22-year-old Vindicat members to the police.

The Vindicat fraternity made headlines in 2016 when a prospective member was subjected to abuse during a hazing ritual. An older student was said to have stepped on his head. The perpetrator was sentenced to one day in jail and community service, but has appealed the judge’s ruling.

The incident resulted in fraternities and hazing practices coming in for a great deal of criticism. Vindicat’s board members lost their grants following an incident at a sushi restaurant. The society had to demonstrate that it ‘wished to prevent unacceptable behaviour by members and was willing to expend much energy on effecting a much-needed culture change,’ said Elmer Sterken, Groningen University’s rector.

‘Unaware’ of duty to report

Vindicat ‘forgot’ to report this latest abuse incident to the mayor and the university, as agreed in the code of conduct signed by the society. Vindicat President Marc Mohr said he was unaware of his duty to report the incident. “I have been negligent and stupid,” Mohr was quoted as saying by the newspaper.

Mohr denies that the fraternity was trying to sweep the incident under the rug. The two alleged perpetrators have been suspended by Vindicat and will be prosecuted by the Public Prosecution Service.