Sexual assault Care Centres in Belgium: current trends and challenges

• In Event: Victimization and Sexual assault issues

Abstract

Sexual violence (SV) is a growing public heath, societal and judicial concern. Following the ratification of the convention of Istanbul, Sexual Assault Care Centres (SACC) were developed to provide holistic patient-centered care to victims of SV in Belgium. From October 2017 to December 2022, 7 SACCs have opened progressively throughout national territory. They allow victims to benefit from medical and psychological care. In those secure environments, forensic nurses are able to conduct forensic examination and victims have the possibility to file complaint on site. Over the subsequent months, a medical or social follow-up can be provided by nurses, in addition to a psychological assistance by a trained psychologist.

Based on data gathered from electronic patients records and administrative data from the police, this presentation aims to provide an overview of the functioning of the centres. We identify characteristics of the 8233 victims who have turned to a center in the last 5 years, a profile of their assailants and trends in sexual violence victimization. We investigate individual risk factors related to the acceptance of medical care, forensic examination and follow-up provided by forensic nurses. In addition, we examine police interventions and their roles in SACCs attendance by victims. Finally, we explore the challenges related to the integration of data from the medical and judicial field as well as the limitations imposed by the use of administrative data to evaluate the epidemiology of sexual violence.

SACCs constitute a crucial breakthrough and a step forward in combating SV. It is therefore important to continue to evaluate and improve this system in order to provide the best possible care for victims of SV.

Authors

• Bastien Hahaut, INCC

• Caroline Stappers, Researcher at the National Institute for Criminalistics and Criminology

• Bertrand Renard, National Institute of Criminalistics and Criminology (NICC-INCC)