A Brussels-based initiative offering legal assistance to victims of sexual and domestic violence is likely to be rolled out in Flanders and Wallonia. Several cities in Belgium's other regions are showing interest in the programme.
Brussels recorded 1,846 instances of sexual violence and 3,260 acts of physical violence within families last year. Several organisations working closely with victims have warned that the number of reports is rising.
"There are between two and three complaints filed daily and between eight and ten calls in our area alone," said Claire Cervello of Emergency Victim Assistance (EVA), a Brussels police unit set up in 2021 to assist victims. However, the unit operates solely in the Brussels Capital/Ixelles police zone, but "the Brussels region has six police zones in total," Cervello said. "So we all know the actual number of victims is likely much higher."
To address the rising rates of sexual violence, the 'Brussels Lawyers Victims Assistance' project for the legal support of victims of sexual or domestic violence was launched last November. It makes legal aid more accessible to victims of sexual and intra-family violence, and better informs these victims about their rights and options.
The project has since been rolled out throughout the Brussels-Capital Region, including the six police zones. More than 360 victims of sexual and domestic violence have received legal assistance through the programme.
The initiative also includes training of lawyers specialised in counselling victims: more than 150 lawyers have already received multidisciplinary training to better support victims, with around 50 available to offer a free initial consultation.
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Stakeholders stated that the first year's results are "more than encouraging", suggesting the programme could be extended beyond Brussels. Barbara Huylebroek, coordinator of the project within the Dutch-speaking Order of the Brussels Bar, hopes the project will soon be rolled out across Belgium, although she does not yet have a concrete timetable.
"There are victims everywhere: from Antwerp to Limburg to Liège. Some bar associations [professional associations of lawyers], including Ghent, Antwerp, Charleroi and Liège, have already come to us and are showing interest in the project."
Victims of sexual violence can call 1712 anonymously, chat on nupraatikerover.be (in Dutch) or see seksueelgeweld.be (in Dutch, French and German) for more information.
If you have been having suicidal thoughts, or are worried about someone else, contact one of the organisations listed here.
