They have difficulty studying and they don't walk the streets alone at night anymore. The impact a failed robbery has on German students Rebecca and Jessie is significant.

Rebecca (18) and Jessie (19) are standing on the exact same spot where they stood that particular Sunday night, a little over a week ago. In front of the bike parking at SSH& complex Hoogeveldt, where the two German students live, they were talking after a night in town. ‘Suddenly, a guy approached us’, says Rebecca, ‘He held a gun and pushed Jessie against the fence. “Money, money, money”, he said.’

The two students did not have any money on them, but the robber ran off with Jessie’s bag. Even though he was carrying a gun, Rebecca ran after him. ‘It was a reflex. I just did it. Different people have told me I am a hero, but a hero who is not right in the head.’

Loot

About twenty meters further, there was a bike that the robber wanted to use to get away. While he was stepping on the bike, Rebecca caught him and the bag fell on the ground. ‘He aimed his gun at my head and I hit his arm. Then he hit me in the nose.’ The robber ran away – without the bag, without loot.

Once they were inside, the students realised what had just happened. Rebecca: ‘I could not breath normally.’ Tears rolled down her cheeks.

Impact

Jessie has not slept in her own room for two weeks now. ‘I do not feel safe here anymore.’ Studying is hard – her thoughts wander too often. Rebecca adds: ‘Very often, the incident plays in my head like a film.’

The two psychology students are not sure how to continue their time as a student. They are scared to go out alone after dark. They still consider asking help from Slachtofferhulp (Victim support).

Jessie is determined to continue her studies. Rebecca is not so sure. If she does not finish her first year, she will go back to Germany for plan B: becoming a police officer. With her actions a week ago in the back of her head: ‘If this was a test, I think I have passed.’

De names ‘Rebecca’ and ‘Jessie’ are pseudonyms.