Later in the case the two young women get the floor. Emotionally, the oldest tells her. “When Dad died, you came into our lives. In the first few years we had a good time until you touched me. I felt incredibly lonely. Only when I got sex education in biology did I know it wasn’t good.”
She says she didn’t dare to tell anything for a long time because she was ashamed. “I was also afraid that you would grab my little sister. So I let it happen. The worst of all was when I just found out five years ago that you also did this to my sister.”
For years she has been in therapy. “As a result, I can finally say that I am happy. But I still feel fear and sorrow. I will never understand why you have abused us, but I hope I can ever forgive you. Because I wish myself a lighter life.”
Several people in the room are visibly emotional. Then the judge gives the floor to the public prosecutor.
Difficult to prove
“Moral cases are often characterized in a situation in which two people, the suspect and the victim, were the only attendees. Proof is difficult to provide. Yet in this case I see enough indications that the women tell an honest story,” says the officer.
“According to the suspect, it is a revenge action. Then the mother would have to do this out of revenge, the children would do this. And then everything would be lied: the years of therapy sessions, the intimate and detailed conversations about the abuse with the police, care providers and lawyers, the emotion today during the session. I think that is very unlikely.”
The officer finds it extra bad that the man, according to her, has also abused as a role of stepfather. “There was a loving relationship. The children were dependent on him. That makes it all even more difficult for the victims.”
Five years in prison as a punishment requirement
She therefore comes with a high penalty requirement: if it is up to her, the suspect has to go into the cell for 5 years. He also has to pay the women almost 40,000 euros.
Whether the judge will go along with this will become clear in two weeks. The suspect looks defeated at the end of the session. “It makes a big impression,” he says. “But I will leave it at that.”