2021-11-24 11:27:49

“Furious and Disgusted”: Teen Survivor Speaks Out After Wealthy White Serial Rapist Gets Probation

The survivor of a serial rapist who received probation joins us to speak out after a New York judge sparked international outrage when he ruled it is inappropriate to jail the man who attacked her.

Christopher Belter pleaded guilty to raping and sexually assaulting her along with three other teenage girls age 15 and 16, but he will avoid serving time in prison, and instead receive 8 years of probation. Belter is white, and from a prominent family who lives in a wealthy neighborhood near Niagara Falls.

“This sentencing is telling rapists it’s okay to rape and telling victims that there’s no point in coming forward,” says Mara. Her lawyer Steven Cohen of the HoganWillig law firm notes a non-white defendant who pleaded guilty to these crimes would “absolutely and appropriately be in prison.”

Democracy Now! produces a daily, global, independent news hour hosted by award-winning journalists Amy Goodman and Juan González. Our reporting includes breaking daily news headlines and in-depth interviews with people on the front lines of the world’s most pressing issues. 

On DN!, you’ll hear a diversity of voices speaking for themselves, providing a unique and sometimes provocative perspective on global events.

Missed an episode?  Check out DN on FSTV VOD anytime or visit the show page for the latest clips.

#FreeSpeechTV is one of the last standing national, independent news networks committed to advancing progressive social change. 

#FSTV is available on Dish, DirectTV, AppleTV, Roku, Sling, and online at freespeech.org.

Amy Goodman Christopher Belter Democracy Now! Free Speech TV Niagara Falls Sexual Assault Steven Cohen

Human Rights and Equality

Democracy Now!

Voices Silenced: Why Mahmoud Khalil Faces Deportation | Democracy Now!

Voices Silenced: Why Mahmoud Khalil Faces Deportation | Democracy Now!

Democracy Now!

Trump Admin Targets Momodou Taal, Pro-Palestinian PhD Student, for Deportation | Democracy Now!

Trump Admin Targets Momodou Taal, Pro-Palestinian PhD Student, for Deportation | Democracy Now!

FSTV Speaks

Protect Workers & Public Services (AFL-CIO) | FSTV Speaks

Protect Workers & Public Services (AFL-CIO) | FSTV Speaks

The Thom Hartmann Program

The Thom Hartmann Program | ICE is Silencing Protest

The Thom Hartmann Program | ICE is Silencing Protest

Related

Working Families Party Mass Call 4/16 -- Watch on Demand Now!

Working Families Party Mass Call 4/16 -- Watch on Demand Now!

Democracy Now!

Jewish & Palestinian Students Unite at Columbia to Demand Answers on ICE Arrest | Democracy Now!

Jewish & Palestinian Students Unite at Columbia to Demand Answers on ICE Arrest | Democracy Now!

Democracy Now!

Democracy Now! | Federal Workers Fight Back!

Democracy Now! | Federal Workers Fight Back!

Democracy Now!

Democracy Now! | USAID Shutdown? Elon Musk Claims Trump Agreed to Dismantle Agency

Democracy Now! | USAID Shutdown? Elon Musk Claims Trump Agreed to Dismantle Agency

Proud Partners