Supreme Court: More attention for victims of sexual violence – Belgium

One of the conclusions is that more attention should be paid to the victims. “After the victims have filed a complaint, they are not sufficiently prosecuted,” says chairman Christian Denoyelle. ‘The nursing centres have certainly burst, but of course they don’t catch everyone. For example, their parents receive an invitation to sit on the bus while they are no longer even living at home. We really should avoid that.”

The entire justice system must develop a greater sensitivity to sexual violence. Not only court staff, lawyers and judges need to be better trained, but also the organisation of a hearing can be improved, according to the HRJ. Denoyelle: “Scenes in which victims are confronted with the perpetrator, called at 9 a.m. and then have to wait for hours in the hallway until their case finally begins, only to learn that the case is being adjourned: that’s still there.”

The HRJ has developed 28 recommendations. For example, the Council calls for separate waiting areas for victims in the courthouses and a counter or contact point with trained staff to look after the victims. According to the HRJ, minors should automatically receive help from a lawyer familiar with the matter. “The perpetrators receive from the first interrogation to a lawyer, the victims do not. They can also benefit from it,” says Denoyelle.

However, the HRJ does not focus solely on the victims. The report makes it clear that the prosecution of sex offenders must be much better. “What applies to the victims also applies to perpetrators,” Denoyelle says. “They also need to find the way to get the right aid. The offer must be adequate and the combination of punishment and care must be possible.”

One of the conclusions is that more attention should be paid to the victims. “After the victims have filed a complaint, they are not sufficiently prosecuted,” says chairman Christian Denoyelle. ‘The nursing centres have certainly burst, but of course they don’t catch everyone. For example, their parents receive an invitation to sit on the bus while they are no longer even living at home. We really should avoid that.” The entire justice system must develop a greater sensitivity to sexual violence. Not only court staff, lawyers and judges need to be better trained, but also the organisation of a hearing can be improved, according to the HRJ. Denoyelle: “Scenes in which victims are confronted with the perpetrator, called at 9 a.m. and then have to wait for hours in the hallway until their case finally begins, only to learn that the case is being adjourned: that’s still there.” The HRJ has developed 28 recommendations. For example, the Council calls for separate waiting areas for victims in the courthouses and a counter or contact point with trained staff to look after the victims. According to the HRJ, minors should automatically receive help from a lawyer familiar with the matter. “The perpetrators receive from the first interrogation to a lawyer, the victims do not. They can also benefit from it,” says Denoyelle. However, the HRJ does not focus solely on the victims. The report makes it clear that the prosecution of sex offenders must be much better. “What applies to the victims also applies to perpetrators,” Denoyelle says. “They also need to find the way to get the right aid. The offer must be adequate and the combination of punishment and care must be possible.”