Belgian Sexual Assault Care Centres: current trends in victimization and subsequent reporting

• In Event: Sexual violence

Abstract

Sexual violence is a widespread social issue with a profound impact on survivors’ mental and physical health. In order to mitigate the negative consequences for victims of sexual violence, 10 Sexual Assault Care Centers (SACCs) have opened progressively throughout Belgium from October 2017 to December 2024. The aim of these SACCs is to provide holistic and patient-centered care. Trained professionals, including forensic nurses, psychologists and police officers, work as part of one team to provide victims with medical care, forensic examination, psychological care, the possibility to file a complaint and aftercare.

During this presentation, we focus on trends in victimization over the last 2 years. We identify characteristics of the victims who have presented themselves, their assailants, the types of sexual violence they have been subjected to and the acceptance of medical care, a forensic examination and follow-up provided by forensic nurses. In addition, we examine how victims who decide to report the assault to the police differ from those who do not, and how certain risk factors contribute to this decision. Finally, we explore the challenges and limitations related to the use of administrative data to evaluate the epidemiology of sexual violence.

Authors

• Clio Lambrechts, National Institute of Criminalistics and Criminology

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

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