Three weeks ago, news broke that members of the Utrechtsch Studenten Corps (USC) were circulating a ‘slut list’. On it were revealing photos of female students, their phone numbers and comments on their appearance and performance in bed. The Public Prosecution Service is investigating the case.
Sanctions
USC has suspended the responsible members indefinitely. In addition, Utrecht University and HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht have decided to sanction the association itself. Both institutions will no longer fund the association this year.
The VVD wants associations to face such a financial sanction by default from now on, MP Bente Becker said Wednesday in a committee debate on emancipation. She argued for a “zero-tolerance policy” for associations that are not tough enough on their own members. If an association does not immediately expel members who misbehave, educational institutions should withdraw funding immediately.
“When push comes to shove, the boys who compile such a list can simply remain members”, says Becker, while female victims no longer dare to show their faces.
Bystanders
Minister Robbert Dijkgraaf approves of educational institutions taking firm action against associations. He also called on bystanders to speak out against abuses earlier. In addition, he pointed to several existing campaigns to expose sexually transgressive behaviour.
For the VVD, however, this does not go far enough. “Can’t the Minister force educational institutions to include stricter requirements in their funding conditions for associations?”, asked Becker.
Dijkgraaf was open to the idea. He found it “eminently conceivable” that associations include “elementary safety requirements” in their funding conditions and promised to share the suggestion “emphatically” with educational institutions. He will inform the House of Representatives of the outcome of his talks before the summer.
