Women in Amsterdam kicked alleged rapist off victim in viral King's Day video
The man allegedly raping a woman in broad daylight in Amsterdam on King’s Day was kicked off the victim by a group of women, Parool reported based on a video in the newspaper’s possession.
The incident happened on Keijzersgracht on King’s Day. A video of the man on top of the woman went viral online. The police quickly announced that they were investigating whether the man raped the woman.
In this new video, several women can be seen between the parked cars on Keijzersgracht screaming at the man to get away from the woman. They ask bystanders to call the police and then start kicking the man off the woman. He put his hand out, trying to fend off one of the women. According to Parool, these images clearly show that there was no mutual consent for the sex on the street.
A police spokesperson told the newspaper that they are aware of the images, but could give no further information.
The video showing the potential rape appeared online on Sunday, the day after the King’s Day celebrations. On Monday, the police announced that they were investigating whether the man raped the woman, and a day later, they police reported that they had arrested a suspect.
The police said that the man and the woman know each other. The woman has not yet pressed charges, but has “made a report” to the police. The police could provide no further information. “The scope that we are given by the Public Prosecution Service (OM) is very narrow. We are a bit tighter than usual,” the police spokesperson told Parool.
The authorities do not need the woman to press charges to investigate. In cases of serious crimes, such as sexual violence, the police and OM can start an investigation and possible prosecution on their own.
Mayor Femke Halsema of Amsterdam has asked people to stop sharing the images. She called the video “not only punishable, but also deeply humiliating and hurtful.”
