Freshmen branded with heated sword in Groningen Vindicat hazing incident
A student from the Groningen-based student association Vindicat atque Polit, under the influence of alcohol, branded ten freshmen with a heated object during an off-campus weekend event. One of the victims sustained burns to the face, and the responsible student has been permanently banned from the association, according to a statement from the Municipality of Groningen and close to the incident, AD reported.
The assault occurred during a trip organized independently by members of the Vindicat sub-association, known as dispuut TYR. The branding took place at night, during a game in a remote forest location. A source familiar with the situation told Dagblad van het Noorden that the student was wielding a sword.
“He was hitting people on the buttocks and then heated the iron in the campfire. After that, he pressed the glowing sword into the face of a first-year student. It started as a crude joke but ended in something very dark,” the source said.
In a statement, Vindicat confirmed the incident and said several of the affected freshmen reported that the branding happened against their will. “This took place during a night game at a secluded location in a forest,” the association said. “A number of first-year students indicated that this act was carried out without their consent.” The victims have been advised to report the assault to the police. “Given the circumstances, they are doing well,” Vindicat said in its official statement.
The student responsible for the assault has been expelled from the association. Vindicat also confirmed it has severed all ties with dispuut TYR, which has now been dissolved. “We strongly condemn this misconduct, which caused injuries to our members,” the association stated.
The Groningen police confirmed they are aware of the incident. “We are in contact with the Vindicat board,” said a spokesperson for the Noord-Nederland police unit. “We advised them to ensure that the directly involved parties report to the police or file a report themselves.”
The incident has sparked strong reactions from the University of Groningen (Rijksuniversiteit Groningen), which distanced itself from the event. A university spokesperson said, “This is absolutely unacceptable. It crosses every boundary.”
Dutch Minister of Education Eppo Bruins also condemned the incident and emphasized the need for cultural change within student associations. “This incident shows how necessary it is to work on changing the culture in these organizations. That is a process that requires constant effort and attention,” Bruins said. “It is important that student associations take responsibility when incidents occur, and the Vindicat board is now showing that responsibility.”
Vindicat has faced controversy in the past over hazing rituals and misconduct. In 2016, Wouter B., a member of the association, stood on the head of a prospective member during a hazing ceremony. In 2017, two other members assaulted a fellow student. More recently, in March 2025, dozens of Vindicat members were temporarily suspended after they caused extensive damage to a hotel during a ski trip in France.
The association has also come under fire in the past for offensive behavior, including the creation of so-called “bangalijsten”—lists objectifying female students.
