Antwerp (Brussels Morning) – The Antwerp Court of Appeal upheld the conviction of a gynaecologist for assaulting and raping six patients, sentencing him to four years in prison, fully suspended, with compensation to victims totalling €28,000.
The Antwerp Court of Appeal confirmed the guilt of a 60-year-old gynaecologist from Turnhout for assaulting and raping six patients. He was sentenced to four years in prison, fully suspended. The criminal court of Turnhout had effectively imposed one more year of those four years.
Did a gynaecologist abuse patients under the guise of research?
Ben VR was charged with assaulting and raping eight patients during the period when he worked as a gynaecologist for the AZ Turnhout. In 2014, the first victim went to the police, followed by a second in 2015. AZ Turnhout fired Ben VR in 2018. When the reason for his dismissal became known through the media, six other victims reported to the police.
They all stated that the defendant performed sexual acts that were not necessary for the gynaecological problem they were experiencing. For example, he repetitively inserted one or two fingers into their vaginas and massaged their clitoris in an attempt to give them an orgasm in his cabinet. Some victims had to sit on their knees and elbows.
What led to the suspension of the gynaecologist’s prison sentence?
Ben VR pleaded not guilty and claimed that all actions were part of gynaecological research. He also alleged that the victims had plotted against him. The criminal court of Turnhout acquitted him of two victims in October 2022. For the other six victims, he was given a prison sentence of four years, of which one year was effective.
Why did the court reduce the gynaecologist’s prison sentence?
Ben VR appealed the verdict, but the court of appeal also found it proven that he had assaulted and raped six patients. “In his capacity as a gynaecologist, he pretended that the acts described by the victims were medically responsible, while this was not the case. This cunning medical staging allowed the defendant to force sexual acts, including penetrations, on his victims without resistance,” the court ruled.
When determining the sentence, the court took into account that the reasonable period had been exceeded. If it had not been for that, Ben VR would have effectively received four years, but now his sentence is completely suspended. He must pay a total of 28,000 euros in compensation to four victims.
