The court in Assen will today rule in the case of a 55-year-old former physiotherapist Bennie Z. from Emmer-Compascuum. On October 17, the Public Prosecution Service (OM) demanded six years in prison for the assault and rape of sixteen women. This is said to have happened from 2016 to 2021 in his practice in Klazienaveen.
The women lay naked on his treatment table and were sexually touched. Z. penetrated two women with his fingers. According to the Public Prosecution Service, the latter should amount to rape. The Public Prosecution Service also demanded a five-year ban on the former emergency worker, which should take effect after he has served his sentence.
The former physiotherapist was known as a skilled professional. The women were made aware of him by their GP or others. They came to him with severe pain complaints. The first treatments were often unremarkable, but gradually the man continued to improve. He asked them to take off the clothes or he did it himself. He touched the buttocks, breasts or pubic area, the women said in their reports.
They often did not really realize what was happening to them or thought that this might fit within the treatment. Or the actions were so unexpected that the victims lay frozen on the treatment table. One woman reported lewd acts in 2018, but no further action was taken. When more reports came in in 2021, her complaint was still addressed.
The suspect denies all accusations. According to him, the women conspired against him and coordinated their statements. Z. was arrested in November 2021 and has been free since February.
At the request of the defense, an expert examined the suspect’s treatment methods. He did not think that the treatment of the suspect was consistent with the women’s complaints. In none of the cases was it necessary to remove the bra or underwear.
The judge will make a ruling early in the afternoon.