The Flemish artist and theater director Jan Fabre has been given a suspended prison sentence of eighteen months. The judge in Antwerp considers it proven that he is guilty of violence, bullying and sexually undesirable behavior in the workplace. He also assaulted someone. Fabre denies the facts and was not present at the verdict.
The trial was about incidents within his dance theater company Troubleyn, where, according to the Public Prosecution Service, there had been a toxic work culture for years. Eleven women told their stories in court last month about what they had experienced.
One of the victims said she had to masturbate in front of a camera as part of a project. “He was just going to photograph my eyes. I can still remember feeling very uncomfortable and insecure. At one point he came closer and started putting strawberries in my vagina.” Fabre is also said to have asked young dancers for sex in exchange for a larger role. If they didn’t, they were passed over. “No sex, no solo,” the victims called it.
According to the judge, the assault and the charges of five women have been proven. In five other testimonies, the case was already time-barred. There was also one acquittal. Various parties receive compensation. In addition to the prison sentence, Fabre has been “removed from his civil rights” for five years. As a result, he is not allowed to vote.
Fabre denies facts, but apologies
Fabre’s lawyers say that their client admits to have made mistakes, but that he denies that it concerns criminal offences. Fabre states that there was no question of a culture of fear or abuse of power at Troubleyn. According to him, the artistic choices were made in joint consultation. His lawyers had asked for an acquittal. The demand of the Public Prosecution Service was an unconditional prison sentence of three years.
At the start of the trial, Fabre gave his lawyer a letter in which he wrote that he never wanted to hurt actors and dancers. “I offer my sincere apologies to those who have been hurt, to those who have made me feel bad. I wish you the anarchy of love and beauty.”
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