The federal government agreed, at its budgetary conclave on Monday, to earmark additional funding to the sum of €6 million for the creation of three new care centres for victims of sexual violence (CPVS).
This was confirmed by Marie-Colline Leroy, Secretary of State for Equal Opportunities, Gender Equality and the Fight against Discrimination.
“Between 2017 and 2022, the 10 existing CPVS received 8,230 victims," Ms. Leroy said. "This illustrates the extent of the problems of sexual violence and the need for centres that are accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide comprehensive care at the victim’s pace,” she commented in a press release.
The three new centres will be located in Mons, Walloon Brabant and the district of Hal-Vilvorde. “They correspond to the needs expressed by the field," the Secretary of State said. "They are located close to student campuses, which are the areas most affected by acts of sexual violence.”
Finally, Ms. Leroy said contacts would be continued with stakeholders in Eupen to identify the best way to improve the care provided to German-speaking victims of sexual violence in the short term.
