Zelle, the women’s movement of the Workers' Party of Belgium (PVDA), will hold a sit-in protest in Kortrijk on Friday evening following recent spiking incidents.
The event is organised by PVDA member Annelies Vandamme to combat spiking and other forms of violence against women. Women's organisation Femma and the ABVV trade union are co-organisers.
Zelle said the idea for the protest emerged after numerous media reports about the incidents in Kortrijk. "Too much emphasis is placed on women's responsibility, shifting the blame to victims instead of perpetrators. Women no longer feel safe in public spaces," the organisation added.
A sit-in is a form of non-violent protest where people gather to block passage. Friday's sit-in will take place at 7 p.m. on Burgemeester Reynaertstraat, the nightlife district where the incidents occurred.
So far, sixteen women have reported being victims of spiking in Kortrijk.
Spiking is the practice of putting alcohol or drugs into another person’s drink or body without their knowledge or consent – in many cases, to make it easier to rape or sexually assault them.
