STATEMENT by the International Center “La Strada”: Abuse Cannot Be Erased with a Blessing

The International Center “La Strada” strongly condemns the repeated attempts by Dima White to “cleanse” his public image and create the illusion of improved moral character as a strategy to obtain a more lenient sentence.

Over the past two years, Dima White has employed various tactics to project a positive public persona in an effort to mitigate his potential punishment. Meanwhile, during this same period, the individuals harmed by this young perpetrator have been undergoing a difficult rehabilitation process with the support of psychological and legal assistance. In stark contrast, the vlogger has continued to rebuild his public image through charitable acts, the creation of positive content on TikTok, and other activities aimed at downplaying the severity of his actions and manipulating public opinion.

These efforts appear to be part of a broader strategy to secure a lighter sentence and minimize the reputational damage caused by the serious allegations, especially considering that there is still no final judgment in the case.

This is not the first time sexual offenders have employed such tactics in court, often presenting positive character references from individuals in positions of authority or trust, such as priests or mayors. These actions do not erase the crimes committed. On the contrary, they diminish their perceived severity in the eyes of the public and send a dangerous message to society at large: that sexual assault can be excused if the perpetrator has enough influence or public visibility.

The circulation of footage showing Dima White receiving a blessing from the Metropolitan of Moldova — without any reference to the ongoing criminal case — not only provides public validation for an alleged offender but can also be interpreted as a form of absolution or forgiveness before justice has had the chance to be served.

In a society where, tragically, a child is sexually abused every day, and where moral institutions — religious, cultural, or educational — are among the most trusted by the population, such gestures risk sowing moral confusion and perpetuating a culture of silence and impunity. Women and children who have suffered abuse deserve support, validation, and safety—not messages that call the severity of their trauma into question.

We reiterate the following:

• A perpetrator’s positive traits, charitable actions after the fact, or public image do not erase the abuse committed against a child. Rather, they reveal the perpetrator’s desperation to escape accountability.
• Sexual abuse is a criminal act — not a “mistake” that can be overlooked. Every act of abuse must be punished in a way that deters future crimes.
• Public support for aggressors only deepens the trauma experienced by victims.
• The trauma endured by victims — the fear, sleepless nights, shame, and despair — requires years of recovery, substantial financial resources for therapy, and often results in serious relationship difficulties. These consequences cannot be “washed away” by any post-crime positive behavior of the abuser.

We call on all public and moral institutions in the Republic of Moldova to refrain from actions that could be interpreted as tacit support for aggressors, regardless of their social status or popularity. It is our collective responsibility as a society to protect victims, educate about consent, and reject all forms of violence.

We remind the public that in the summer of 2023, the International Center “La Strada,” referring to the case of TikToker Dima White, stated that offering money or other goods in exchange for photos or videos of an intimate or sexual nature constitutes sexual exploitation. Indecent proposals, offensive comments, and other behaviors by the TikToker that created a hostile and degrading environment or inflicted suffering on those involved in his videos are illegal. A person’s body cannot be used as a means of generating profit. Moreover, the online promotion of such video content contributes to the normalization of sexual violence.

The International Center “La Strada” is currently providing psychological and legal assistance to a victim of the sexual abuse committed by Dima White in 2023. The case is currently under review in the first-instance court. However, the legal proceedings are being continuously delayed by the defendant, who has failed to appear at all three scheduled court hearings since April. As a result, Dima White now risks being brought to court by force.

We also remind the public that all photo and video materials involving minors in sexualized contexts can be reported via the platform www.siguronline.md. Since April 2023, this platform has functioned as a national reporting service for child sexual abuse materials, working in collaboration with ICT companies and law enforcement to ensure the removal of such illegal content from the internet.