Acquittal in Vienna: Ten boys exonerated after allegations of abuse!

Acquittal in Vienna: Ten boys exonerated after allegations of abuse!

A shocking case is currently preoccupying the judiciary in Vienna: Ten young men between the ages of 16 and 21 were acquitted at the Vienna Regional Court on September 26, 2025 after they were accused of having carried out sexual acts with a 12-year-old girl. The incidents are said to have occurred between March and June 2023 in various locations in Favoriten. These were hotel rooms, stairwells and apartments, such as World reported.

The ten defendants, who come from Syria, North Macedonia, Turkey and Bulgaria, were not all accused of the same thing: two of them were charged with sexual assault, while the others were charged with violating sexual self-determination. Ultimately, Judge Daniel Schmitzberger found that there was insufficient evidence of intimidation or violence. It also became clear that there were contradictions within the girl's statements, as stated in another report by 5min can be read.

The process in detail

The trial took place largely behind closed doors to ensure victim protection. The public prosecutor was unable to maintain the allegation of serious sexual abuse because it could not be clearly established that the defendants knew that the girl was only 12 years old. This question was crucial because, as the Abuse Commissioner explains, such proceedings are often complicated by the lack of objective evidence, such as DNA evidence or independent witnesses, which makes it difficult to reach a fair verdict.

The girl's ex-boyfriend said in his statement that he initially thought she was the same age as him. It was only through an ID card and information from other boys in the park that he found out about her actual age. He confronted the girl about the rumors and the incriminating videos that he had also heard. She assured him that she did not want the sexual contact and that she would have been afraid of the situation, which underlines the complexity of the case.

Reactions and outlook

The acquittals were heavily criticized by the victim's lawyer, who described them as degrading. The process not only has a legal dimension, but also raises ethical questions that society must address. It remains exciting to see whether the public prosecutor's office will appeal against the verdict; the decision is not yet legally binding. It is clear that the case will give rise to many discussions about the protection of victims and the needs in criminal law dealing with those affected by sexual crimes.

In summary, this case clearly shows how challenging it is to provide evidence in sexual crimes, especially when it comes to underage victims who are often under immense pressure. The process also highlights the importance of a respectful and professional approach when interviewing victims in order to prevent further trauma.

It is to be hoped that such incidents will be dealt with better and more fairly in the future so that those affected receive the support and hearing they deserve.