"A slap in the face to all children": a Syrian man who raped a 12-year-old girl was acquitted in Austria

A Vienna court has acquitted a 17-year-old Syrian migrant accused of forcing a 12-year-old girl into sexual acts.

An Austrian schoolgirl met a Syrian through a social network, and when she met in the parking lot, she was forced to have oral sex. However, the Vienna District Court ruled that there was insufficient evidence of violence and acquitted the accused of rape. The judge stated that although the victim may have felt pressure, there is no convincing evidence that force or threats were used.

"He could have assumed that she did it voluntarily," the judge said.

In a conversation with the publication "Hoyte", the mother told:

"The world is collapsing before our eyes. This is a slap in the face to my child and all other victims who have experienced something like this. My daughter doesn't deserve this."

The mother continued, saying that "my daughter's life is ruined, but I will not stop until justice is done."