Geneva Court Acquits Man in Daughter-in-Law Abuse Case
Verdict Sparks Outcry From Feminist Groups
A Geneva criminal court delivered a contentious verdict today, acquitting a man accused of sexually abusing his daughter-in-law. The decision, reached after a tense trial, has ignited debate and drawn criticism from advocates for victims of sexual violence.
Details of the Case
The trial, which concluded on Wednesday, centered around allegations made by the complainant, now 25, who claimed repeated abuse occurred between 2003 and 2015 while living in Spain. The accused, a Bolivian-born man with four children from different relationships, vehemently denied the accusations, claiming the allegations stemmed from family discord and a delayed revelation about his paternity.
During the proceedings, inconsistencies emerged in the testimonies of both the complainant and her mother, who also accused her ex-husband of violence. The court ultimately found the complainant’s statements lacked sufficient credibility compared to the accused’s defense. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 1 in 3 women worldwide have experienced physical or sexual violence, often perpetrated by an intimate partner. WHO Fact Sheet
Conflicting Accounts and Family Dynamics
The defense, led by Saskia Ditisheim and Fiona Le Dérêree, argued that the mother’s influence and potential manipulation of events played a significant role in the accusations. They portrayed a picture of a dysfunctional family marked by financial issues and infidelity. The court acknowledged the possibility of maternal influence in its reasoning.
“That’s enough sir, come back, your handkerchief has been dry since earlier!”
—Sabina Mascotto, President of the Criminal Court
The complainant recounted experiencing psychological distress and a troubling incident in 2011, at age 12, involving a sleeping pill. She alleged her stepfather administered the drug against her will, a claim he refuted. The court noted the presence of psychological consequences but cited a lack of concrete evidence to support the allegations.
Partial Conviction and Public Reaction
While acquitted of the sexual abuse charges, the accused was found guilty of simple bodily lesions against his ex-wife and received a suspended financial sentence. The verdict has prompted strong reactions from feminist activists, who organized a demonstration outside the courthouse in support of the complainant.
The prosecution, led by Olivia Dilonardo, had requested a two-year suspended sentence for acts of sexual order with children and acts of sexual order committed on a person incapable of discernment. Both parties have ten days to appeal the decision.
The case underscores the challenges inherent in prosecuting sexual assault cases, particularly when relying on testimony and lacking corroborating evidence. It also highlights the complex dynamics that can arise within families and the potential for conflicting narratives to obscure the truth.
