Parents launch foundation to demand end to slut shaming lists

Parents whose daughters were the victim of the slut shaming lists called 'Bangalijsten' in Utrecht have started the Stop Bangalijsten Foundation. This was reported by Ina Brouwer, who is assisting the board of the foundation and is also the lawyer for the parents of the students. The foundation wants to look after the interests of the victims of (online) transgressive behavior and start a culture change within the student life.

The foundation wants an "effective and enforceable" sanctions policy with a victim compensation scheme. Almost 50 student associations signed a code of conduct last week meant to combat transgressive behavior, but Brouwer thinks the codes are not as detailed as they should be. The code of conduct does not state which sanctions match which violations, and there is a lack of clarity regarding what a violation is.

Stop Bangalijsten wants associations, colleges, and university students to sign a code of conduct before they start their studies. This would mean that instead of the institutions signing the code of conduct, every student individually would sign it.

In the code of conduct it would state, for example, that setting up a so-called 'bangalijst' would be a "severe form of transgressive behavior," with the corresponding punishment like a suspension or removal. "In this way, there can be no misunderstanding," Brouwer added.

Focus will initially be on Utrecht because the most recent bangalijsten have come from there. Conversations with the colleges and universities are ongoing, but the foundation's ambition is to spread its vision nationwide.

The foundation's board consists of parents Mark van Casteren and Marjet Oude Sogtoen and journalist Milou Deelen, who was a victim of the transgressive behavior at the Groningen student body Vindicat.

In addition to Brouwer, they are also assisted by lawyer Otto Volgenant and criminal lawyer Pieter Huisman.

A list that was set up by members of the Utrecht Student Corps in March in which alleged sexual activities of students were described and judged. Two members were suspended for a year and a half by the board. A second list was released a while later, and it is yet unknown who set up this list.