Justin van Tilborgh (21), known from the PowNed program Dropout Resort, was beaten up at the fair in Deurne on the night of Saturday to Sunday. A video of the fight is circulating on social media. “This is horrible. It’s really not okay.”
In the program he spoke candidly about his difficult childhood, the problems he struggled with for years and his drug addiction. He talked about how that affected his life and what consequences it had for his development. He also tried to get his life back on track step by step and find out which direction he wants to take with his future.
“They always need me.”
According to Justin, it started with the bumper cars. “They always have to have me there,” he says. “But at one point it was as if almost everyone was against me. I was also called gay.”
He said the comments continued. When he said something about it, the situation got out of hand. “A boy got out of his cart and wanted to punch me. I was just able to climb out of my cart.” Then a fight broke out. “Then I also gave him a few whistles. Fortunately, people also stepped in to help me.” Justin said he did not know the boy.
He emphasizes that everyone is allowed to have their own opinion. “I don’t mind at all if you have something against gays, you are free to do so. But just keep it to yourself and keep your paws off anyone else.”
“I have a black eye and am covered in bruises.”
Justin suffered serious injuries. “I probably broke my nose. I have a black eye and I’m covered in bruises.”
According to Justin, it was not the first time he encountered violence that weekend. He was also said to have been beaten a day earlier at the same fair.
“Someone came from behind and suddenly hit me hard. It just went black before my eyes. I was gone for a few seconds.”
“I woke up and immediately received messages that it was online.”
The brawl was filmed and the footage quickly spread online. Although Justin saw that coming, he doesn’t like it. “I woke up and immediately received messages that it was online.”
Yet for him it is not only negative reactions that dominate. “I also received a lot of sweet messages from people asking how I was doing. That really did me good.”
It remains difficult that the images are now circulating everywhere. “You are again portrayed as something negative.”
“I’m not into fighting at all.”
He looks back on what happened with mixed feelings. “I’m not into fighting at all. I don’t like it at all. But I’m also a bit proud of myself for standing up for myself.”
Justin filed a report after the fight. He does not want to say much about the investigation, but he says the police are taking the matter seriously.
Despite everything, Justin continues to look ahead. He is still working on getting his driver’s license and is investigating which direction he wants to take in terms of work. “I visit a nail salon, a hairdresser and a skin specialist. This way I find out what I really like.”
