Giving Voice and Breaking the Silence: The Fight of Maïté Meeus and Balance Ton Bar

#Balance ton bar: Maïté Meeus, an Uncommon Activist

In the fight against sexist and sexual violence, some voices stand out, leaving a mark through their unwavering commitment. Maïté Meeus is one of those voices. She is not an ordinary activist. Her initiative, "Balance Ton Bar", launched in October 2021, shook Brussels by highlighting the violence occurring in bars and nightlife venues in the Belgian capital.

What triggered this movement? Testimonies of sexist and sexual assaults scattered across Instagram, a sad reality that Maïté Meeus decided not to ignore. But she also chose to go beyond mere denunciation by seeking to centralize these testimonies to give a collective voice to victims and thus demand concrete changes.

One of the most worrying aspects of this issue is the phenomenon of chemical submission. This vile practice, too often minimized or ignored, found a platform with "Balance Ton Bar". Over time, hundreds of testimonies have poured in, revealing the unsuspected scale of this violence. But Maïté Meeus did not stop at collecting these stories; she also worked to have the concept of chemical submission included in the Penal Code, a major step forward in recognizing this form of violence.

Yet, despite these advances, the path to justice and recognition for victims remains fraught with obstacles. Recently, a new anonymous testimony was published on the Instagram page of "Balance Ton Bar", describing a nightmarish experience in a famous bar in the capital and a night shop in central Brussels. A 22-year-old woman, after being drugged with a friend, found herself in the basement of a night shop, assaulted by a stranger. Her chilling account testifies to the violence of these acts and the impunity that often seems to surround them.

Unfortunately, the ordeal does not end there for victims. After having the courage to file a complaint, the young woman faced indifference and incompetence from the authorities. Her case was ultimately dismissed, leaving a bitter taste of injustice and abandonment.

This testimony was the trigger for Maïté Meeus. After nearly a year of inactivity, she decided to relaunch "Balance Ton Bar", aware that the fight is far from over. Her commitment does not waver, despite obstacles and fatigue. Because behind every testimony, there is a victim who deserves to be heard, supported, and accompanied.

The reopening of "Balance Ton Bar" is not just a return to action; it is also a call for solidarity and mobilization. Because if victims have had the courage to break the silence, it is up to us, as a society, to offer them our support and listening. Sexual violence support centers are there to assist them, but it is up to all of us to ensure their voices are never silenced again.

Maïté Meeus is not an ordinary activist. She symbolizes a generation that refuses to be silent, that refuses to let injustices continue. With "Balance Ton Bar", she reminds us that the fight against sexist and sexual violence is far from over, but together, we have the power to make a difference.

The harsh reality of sexual assaults in bars and nightlife venues in Brussels was felt again when a security guard at El Cafe was sentenced to 50 months in prison for raping a customer of the establishment in 2019. However, this verdict does not mark the end of the case. The security guard has decided to appeal, contesting the judgment rendered on June 28 by the Brussels criminal court. He and his lawyer are challenging not only the prison sentence but also the financial damages imposed on him, amounting to 8,500 euros to be paid to the victim.

The facts are chilling. A 20-year-old woman, after having a few drinks, was forced to perform two fellatios on a security guard at El Cafe. The horror took place in a toilet stall, where she was pushed and threatened. Her ordeal lasted nearly 30 minutes, marked by acts of violence and domination.

The initial verdict, sentencing the security guard to 50 months in prison, had brought some relief to the victim and her circle. However, this relief was short-lived. The announcement of the appeal filed by the convicted man reopened the still fresh wounds of the victim. For Maître Caroline Poiré, the young woman’s lawyer, this decision highlights the long and grueling judicial process victims must face. Despite their courage and determination, obtaining a final decision can take years, exacerbating their suffering.

On the defense side, Maître Abdelhadi Amrani declined to comment on the appeal filing. However, this move raises questions about the motivations and arguments put forward to contest a verdict that seemed clear.

This case highlights the importance of supporting victims throughout the judicial process by providing adequate assistance and ensuring their voices are heard and respected. Let us hope the Court of Appeal will take into account the suffering endured by the victim and render a just and fair decision, thus contributing to the fight against sexual violence and the pursuit of justice for all.