“Loverboy” must answer to the Zurich High Court
Published: Monday, Dec 2nd 2024, 05:40
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A so-called "loverboy" has to answer to the Zurich High Court today, Monday. He is a 23-year-old man who provided his "bros" with a twelve-year-old girl for rape.
This case is a drastic example of the so-called "loverboy" form of abuse. "Loverboys" are men who manipulate, addict and exploit girls or women who are in love with them. They often pressure the victims to have sex with others - as was the case in this case from Winterthur.
In 2022, the Winterthur District Youth Court sentenced the main defendant to 8 years and 9 months' imprisonment, which is now being appealed to the High Court. However, it was clear to the court at the time that the sex between the girl and her friends, the "bros", was not voluntary.
Power imbalance exploited
The then twelve-year-old girl was madly in love with the teenager, who was four years older. The convicted man had not actively created this power imbalance. But he had quickly recognized it and exploited it for himself and his colleagues, the judge said at the sentencing hearing.
During the trial, the "loverboy" and his six friends claimed that the girl had always taken part voluntarily and that they had "all had fun together". They were only in court because the girl did not want to be considered a slut.
"Only the men had fun"
However, the court in Winterthur came to a different conclusion, simply because there is a video of a gang rape. "The only ones having fun here were the men," said the judge at the time. He described the behavior of the seven accused as "absolutely despicable".
The main defendant was convicted of 16 criminal offenses, the most serious of which were human trafficking, rape and sexual acts with children. His "bros", who were "allowed" to have the girl, are also on trial again. They were sentenced to conditional and in some cases unconditional prison sentences in 2022.
Federal Court admits media
Because the main defendant was still a minor for some of the offenses charged, he tried to exclude the media from the trial up to the Federal Supreme Court - but without success.
At the end of October, the Federal Supreme Court ruled that the media could report on the case. After all, the accused had been of legal age for more than five years. In addition, the offense had caused a great stir among the population.
However, conditions are imposed on the media, for example the alleged perpetrators and the victim must not be identifiable. Places of residence, dates of birth and nationalities may not be disclosed. The general public is excluded from the trial.
©Keystone/SDA
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