Kortrijk Spiking: Ella Leyers Condemns Blaming Women

Kortrijk (Eurotoday) – Police in Kortrijk have arrested five individuals, including three bar owners, in connection with drink spiking. Between 2021 and 2024, at least 41 women were drugged and assaulted. TV host Ella Leyers condemned victim-blaming and called for stronger legal protections.

Authorities in Kortrijk detained five suspects, including three bar owners, who are believed to be involved in the spiking incidents. Ella Leyers, a television host, expressed her concern, stating that such cases undermine trust in bars and nightclubs as safe places. 

She emphasized that even if individuals take precautions, their safety remains compromised if bar owners themselves are engaged in the crime. Leyers pointed out that the involvement of bar owners highlights the severity of the issue and raises questions about how widespread drink spiking is in the nightlife industry.

Could Kortrijk’s spiking cases lead to stronger protections?

Leyers discussed potential solutions to tackle drink spiking, acknowledging that there are no easy answers. One challenge is the difficulty of imposing harsher punishments due to overcrowded prisons, making it harder to deter future crimes solely through stricter laws. She suggested that greater female representation in politics could help prioritize issues like women’s safety. 

According to Leyers,

“Spiking is rape, and the fact that you are not raped as a woman after spiking is only because the perpetrator did not succeed.” 

She argued that spiking should be treated as seriously as rape, as drugging someone without their consent constitutes an act of sexual violence. This case has sparked discussions about the need for stronger laws, better enforcement, and preventive measures that protect potential victims rather than just responding after crimes occur.

“And the more you hear such stories, the more you watch out,”

added Leyers.

“It also causes people to isolate themselves more and more from each other. The informality is, therefore, endangered, and that is a great pity.”

Between 2021 and 2024, a major drink spiking case was uncovered in Kortrijk, Belgium. At least 41 women were drugged with ketamine before being sexually assaulted or raped. Many of these crimes took place in the Burgemeester Reynaertstraat district, a well-known nightlife hub. 

Several victims recalled being offered drinks, often almond-flavored shots. After consuming them, they blacked out and later realized they had been assaulted. The investigation began in May 2023 when seven women first reported their experiences to the police. As more victims came forward, authorities intensified their probe.

In October 2024, police conducted searches at multiple locations, leading to the arrest of four suspects. Two of them remained under investigation, with one already wearing an electronic bracelet for a prior offense. Another suspect was released under specific conditions. 

Ella Leyers criticized the tendency to ask victims questions like “What were you wearing?” or “Did you watch your drink?” rather than holding perpetrators accountable. She emphasized the urgent need for discussions about violence against women, preventing drink spiking, and ensuring that both the government and society make public spaces safer for women.

“You can stand