Belgian police are investigating a disturbing series of reports involving drugging and sexual assault in Kortrijk, a city in West Flanders. Over the past few months, the situation has escalated into a significant scandal, drawing national attention as authorities uncover a complex network of alleged perpetrators.
As of now, at least 41 victims have come forward, reporting that they were drugged while out socializing. Many of these women woke up after nights out without any recollection of the events that transpired, only to discover that they had been sexually assaulted.
The first reports of such incidents, commonly referred to as "spiking," surfaced in May 2023. Spiking involves secretly adding drugs or medication to someone's drink, often with the intent to incapacitate them for sexual assault. Police suspect that the number of victims is likely higher, as many women may feel ashamed or fear coming forward due to the nature of their experiences.
Recent police actions have led to the arrest of five suspects, including three café owners in the nightlife area where these incidents occurred. These individuals are facing serious charges, including rape, sexual assault, and the intentional administration of harmful substances.
According to a report from VRT News, the investigation has revealed that the drugging incidents may have been happening for a longer period, specifically from December 2021 to December 2024. This timeline suggests a troubling pattern of behavior within the local nightlife scene.
Last year, multiple house searches were conducted in Kortrijk's nightlife sector, resulting in the arrest of four men. While two of these suspects were later released under certain conditions, the investigation continued to gain momentum. The police have now reportedly uncovered a network of individuals, primarily within the hospitality industry, who allegedly targeted young women to drug them for sexual assault.
One of the victims, a 26-year-old woman who has chosen to remain anonymous, shared her harrowing experience with VRT News. She recounted ordering a drink during a night out and subsequently losing all memory of the events that followed. After seeking medical attention, she discovered that ketamine had been administered to her, leading to her assault.
In a related report from HLN, thirty women have now formally reported instances of spiking and sexual abuse in Kortrijk. The recent arrests, which took place on March 25 and March 26, 2025, included the owner of a popular youth café, further highlighting the involvement of local business owners in these crimes.
In October 2024, eleven young women reported feeling unwell after a night out, suspecting they had been victims of spiking. They described experiencing symptoms like nausea and dizziness after consuming drinks that they believed were tampered with. Many women reported waking up in strange beds, some with signs of sexual assault.
Police investigations indicate that two café owners are suspected of leading a network that specifically targeted young, attractive women, offering them free shots that contained both alcohol and ketamine. This combination is particularly dangerous, as it can significantly impair a victim's ability to resist or remember the assault, complicating the process of identifying and prosecuting the offenders.
One victim, who identified herself as Sylvie, recounted her experience from May 2023. She ordered an Amaretto with ice at a café in Kortrijk but then experienced a blackout, unable to recall anything until she woke up in an unfamiliar place. Sylvie later learned through a hair sample that ketamine had been present in her system, and unknown DNA was discovered on her clothing. "I was stunned. The shock turned into anger towards the person who did this to me," she expressed in her interview.
The police had already identified four suspects back in October 2024, but the recent arrests have expanded the investigation to include eight additional individuals, among them café owners I.D. and G.H. These two men are believed to be key figures in the alleged network responsible for drugging and assaulting young women.
All twelve suspects are scheduled to appear before an investigating judge on March 26, 2025, where decisions regarding their further detention will be made. This case has not only highlighted the alarming rise in spiking incidents in Belgium but has also raised questions about safety in nightlife environments.
Statistics from the Belgian Ministry of the Interior indicate a troubling trend: in 2017, there were approximately one hundred reports of spiking involving rape or assault. By 2023, that number had nearly doubled, showcasing an urgent need for action and awareness regarding the safety of individuals in social settings.
As this case unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by individuals in nightlife situations and the importance of taking reports of drugging and sexual assault seriously. The community in Kortrijk, along with authorities, must now grapple with the implications of these events and work towards creating a safer environment for all.
