Multidisciplinary Care for Minor Victims of Sexual Violence: A Qualitative Study from SACCs practices in Belgium

• In Event: Human Trafficking and Sexual Violence

Abstract

Sexual Assault Care Centres (abbreviated ‘SACCs’ in the following) are being rolled out across Belgium, in accordance with the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention, 2011). Ten SACCs have opened progressively since 2017, and more are soon to follow. Every SACC is a collaboration between a hospital, the police and the public prosecutor. Their mission is ‘to support victims of sexual violence through multidisciplinary supervision’ (Moniteur belge, law dated 26-4-24).

This presentation shares the results of a qualitative study (2024-2025) that focuses specifically on the care provided by the SACCs to minor girls and boys who are victims of sexual violence (SV). First, analysis of the discourse of SACCs professionals (forensic nurses, psychologists, paediatricians, police officers, prosecutors) will provide an understanding of professional practices offered to minor victims in reaction to the contexts of told situations of sexual violence. Secondly, the issues raised by the integration of SACCs into local networks of other key actors in the care of minors who are victims of SV will be adressed.

Authors

• Caroline De Man, INCC

• Anne LEMONNE, INCC

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