Parents of UVSV victims approach European Commission

The parents, who have formed Stop Slut Lists Foundation, have teamed up with the expertise centre Offlimits to submit an enforcement request to the European Commission, the Dutch Data Protection Authority (AP), the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) and Belgian supervisory authorities.

Offlimits and the SSL Foundation find it “incomprehensible and unacceptable” that Telegram does nothing to stop content offering weapons and drugs, let alone punishable images and lists such as the ones that victimised the UU students. The Russian app is not responding to their calls to remove the list. A similar request was made to the Dutch Public Prosecution Service, with little result.

In a press release, Lawyer Ina Brouwer, who represents the parents, says: “Telegram knows that the Netherlands hesitates and dawdles. That is why there is no reason to remove any content now (…) despite all the damaging consequences this brings for the victims.”

According to the two organisations, the lists have been circulating in public Telegram groups since April. They contain photos, names, phone numbers and addresses of the women, who are judged by their appearance and sexual performance.

Brouwer, the lawyer, was also threatened and blackmailed when a fourth list appeared in mid-July. The perpetrators told her to cease her activities to prevent the students from being exposed even further. A 26-year-old man from Groningen was arrested shortly afterwards.

In April, the Public Prosecution Service arrested two other men, both 20-year-olds, both members of USC. They are said to be involved with distributing the first list, which appeared in March. The PowerPoint document was initially distributed via WhatsApp but appeared on Telegram shortly afterwards.

This first list caused a stir among students in Utrecht. As a result, USC's board suspended the members involved. The board also wrote a plan to change the fraternity's culture, at UU's request.