A transgender teen has told cops she was gang-raped by three men on her first night out as a female.
Public prosecutors in the Belgian city of Antwerp have indicted three men after they allegedly raped the 17-year-old before she reportedly managed to escape after biting one of he alleged attackers on the penis.
The teenager went out with two friends to the Red & Blue gay club in Antwerp on 22nd June last year where she was allegedly harassed by a 34-year-old man.
When the teenager went outside to get some fresh air, the man and two accomplices aged 24 and 25 allegedly followed her and put her in a taxi while she was confused about what was happening.
In the taxi, the 24-year-old suspect allegedly began to grope her. The trans teen tried to push him away, but was too weak to restrain him.
She was then brought to a flat in the Deurne borough of Antwerp where the 24-year-old lived where she was raped in turns by the three men, according to local media.
The victim managed to escape after biting one of the men on his penis, according to local media.
The victim’s lawyer said: “My client is transgender. That night was the first time she went out as a female, something which makes the facts more severe.”
The lawyer has demanded damages of 7,850 EUR (7,052 GBP) to be paid by the three alleged perpetrators.
Meanwhile, prosecutors have demanded prison sentences of six years for the three suspects.
The suspects initially told the cops that they were not in the Red & Blue club and also denied having any contact with the victim, although they changed their story after the police confronted them with DNA evidence found on her body which matched theirs, according to reports.
The lawyer of the 34-year-old man said: “My client no longer denies that sexual acts happened, but they did not happen against the victim’s will.”
The other two suspects also denied raping the teen, saying that the sex was consensual.
A judgement is expected on 11th July.
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Story By: Koen Berghuis, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News
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