Ten Vindicat members suffer burns during society weekend, possibly from branding

Ten first-year students from the Groningen student association Vindicat have suffered facial burns during a  fraternity subgroup weekend. Local media suggest the injuries may have been caused by branding.

The exact circumstances remain unclear. However, the newspaper Dagblad van het Noorden and local outlet Sikkom report that ten first-year members of a fraternity subgroup sustained burns to their faces. Sources within the association claim branding was involved.

The student association Vindicat has frequently been at the centre of controversy due to misconduct by its members. Previous incidents have included harsh hazing rituals, sexism, and other inappropriate behaviour. As recently as this spring, the association suspended eighty members following vandalism during a ski trip.

‘Unacceptable and reprehensible’

The association confirmed to Sikkom that the students suffered first-degree burns, but stated it is not yet certain whether these were caused by branding. The chairman is said to have advised the victims to report the incident to the police.

The Mayor of Groningen, Mirjam van ’t Veld, is keeping all options open: “If it turns out that people have indeed been branded, that is absolutely unacceptable and reprehensible. In such a case, I expect appropriate measures to be taken.” (HOP, BB)