Police are not allowed to check whether individuals in Belgium who volunteer to host Ukrainian refugees are doing so in good faith.
Authorities are worried that sex offenders and paedophiles could be taking in Ukrainian children or teenagers, according to Het Belang van Limburg.
One person who manages a Facebook group connecting refugees to Belgians volunteering shelter said he was already running into issues with men attempting to use it as a dating site, or specifically requesting “beautiful” women within a specific age range.
Not legal for police to check criminal records of host families
“This is a problem,” Limburg governor Jos Lantmeeters told Het Belang van Limburg, in regards to the lack of ability for police to run control checks.
The governor had asked all mayors to have the police check the host families in their municipalities to make sure they have good intentions.
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However, local police areas received a note from the federal police on Friday stating that it is not legally permissible to check whether foster families have a criminal record or have ever been in contact with the law.
Lantmeeters believes that a solution must be found as soon as possible. “We really can't take the risk that less trustworthy people are given the opportunity to host refugees.”
