Belgium is cracking down on violence against healthcare workers, imposing tougher penalties and prison sentences of up to five years.
A recent survey showed that the number of violent incidents against healthcare staff increased during the pandemic. Close to 60% of the respondents indicated that there has been an increase in reported cases of violence since the start of the pandemic. To tackle this issue, tougher penalties are being introduced.
"Violence against our healthcare providers must never be tolerated," Federal Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke noted in a statement.
"Healthcare workers are ready day and night to help and care for people. It goes without saying that they can do so in complete safety. That seems obvious, yet attacks still happen."
Writing protections into law
Until now, those who committed an act of violence against healthcare providers faced minor punishments. A change to the penal code now allows for this to be much stricter.
"We are now sending a clear message: anyone who commits violence at a time when care workers are doing their job, must and will be dealt with severely," said Vandenbroucke.
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Under the new criminal code, acts of violence committed against a person carrying out a social function, such as a nurse, ambulance driver, pharmacist or doctor (and if the crime was committed as a result of performing this function) will be severely penalised.
When a caregiver, for example, is the victim of injuries that leave them unable to work for two weeks or longer, the offender will face a prison sentence of three to five years. The current punishment ranges between two months and four years in prison.
