WILLEMSTAD - The Public Prosecution Service (OM) demanded four and a half years in prison for T.B., one of which is conditional with a probationary period of three years. He must also undergo psychological treatment during his imprisonment.
The man behind a well-known environmental and recycling company in Curaçao is suspected of having sexually abused a minor girl from the age of 14. B. is 25 years older and was a family friend and confidant.
NARCISTIC
The man acknowledges the abuse but says that it only started when she was 15. He lived under the assumption that it would then no longer be punishable.
The suspect said several times that the relationship was loving and took place with mutual approval and that it was destroyed by the parents and people who did not grant them happiness.
According to the Public Prosecutor, B. took advantage of the vulnerability of a 14-year-old girl with an eating disorder. Because of his narcissistic behavior, which has also been observed during psychological investigations, the suspect has put himself and his pleasure first, without seeing the consequences, according to the OM.
Suspect B. said in his closing words that he was sorry, but stated - referring to his work for the environment - that there should be more people like him: “People like me are desperately needed to save the world. I only do good things and am not useful in prison."
HISTORIC
During the sometimes emotional treatment, the victim was also allowed to use the right to speak. Historically, according to her lawyer Olga Kostrzewski, because it’s the first time.
“An important milestone in the defense of the rights of victims of sexual abuse. The so-called right to speak of victims is not laid down in Curaçao legislation."
Kostrzewski did not comment on evidence or value judgments during the speaking time, but summed up the psychological, psychosomatic and physical consequences as a result of the abuse she had to indure and how these effects manifest themselves to date.
According to the lawyer, the impact of being allowed to speak is very important. “Not only is it an important element in the healing process of a victim, but it is also an important element in the criminal process, which strives for finding truth and prevention. That is only possible if the story of the victim is heard firsthand."
In order to protect the interests of victims, there has been talk for some time now to establish the rights of victims by law. Lawyer Kostrzewski regards the milestone in this case as the starting signal to amend the law and to introduce the right to speak legally.
The ruling is on December 13.