Commission of Inquiry into sexual abuse makes 137 recommendations: central point of contact and new expertise center

Following ‘Godforgotten’, the VRT series on sexual violence within the Church and religious organizations, the House established a parliamentary committee of inquiry into child abuse and sexual violence, within and outside the Church. That committee presented its final report today.

With the report, the investigative committee hopes to provide guidance “to gain a better grip on the underestimated social problem” of sexual violence in our society. “After all, it is our duty as a society to protect the most vulnerable,” said committee chairwoman Sophie De Wit (N-VA).

The investigative committee concludes that there is “a very great need for further follow-up and recognition, but also for independent scientific research into sexual violence, both within and outside the Church”.

The report therefore contains 137 recommendations to step up the fight against child abuse and sexual violence. “These recommendations also provide a roadmap for concrete actions to be taken to ensure the well-being and safety of children. Children and victims of the past, present and future. The victims have waited long enough.”

During the presentation of the report in Parliament, Chairman De Wit listed several important recommendations:

• The committee advocates the appointment of one Commissioner for Transgressive Sexual Behavior and Sexual Violence on minors and vulnerable persons. He or she acts as a central point of contact for various policy makers.

• This person takes charge of setting it up Sexual Violence Expertise Center, an independent body that will also be established, which will formulate policy advice. The expertise center is multidisciplinary and conducts scientific research on all facets of the problem.

• The creation of one new, independent Arbitration Commission with a focus on victims of non-acute sexual violence and legally barred facts. A new compensation system also needs to be developed.

• The expansion of the (Flemish) Recognition and Mediation Committee and its rollout in other parts of the country, with the aim of providing recognition and answers in individual files where the statute of limitations has already started.

• A legal-academic investigation into the possibility of a retroactive abolition of the limitation periodin child sexual abuse.

• General extension telephone and chat line with 24/7 accessibility.

• Better access to psycho-traumatic care .

• Unique gateway, preferably via the Sexual Violence Care Centers.

• Better legal support for example, through ‘permanence’ of specialized lawyers.

• Also the establishment of a recovery fund will be investigated, financed by the perpetrator and/or the organizing institution in which the sexual violence took place. This fund can provide assistance for all costs that victims have to bear after sexual violence.

• Collection by the government of compensation to the convicted person to relieve victims.

• Research into one more suitable calculation method for the amount of compensation.

• Acknowledging responsibilityand putting the victim first.

• Act proactively to track down perpetrators themselvesthrough current indications or information available to them in their archives and other documents.

• To cooperateto the establishment of a new arbitration committee.

• Promote access of police and judicial authorities to the relevant fileswhich are with the ecclesiastical authorities, with due observance of the necessary confidentiality.

• Guarantee that after a transfer or a move the perpetrator’s file is always in the superior’s possessionin the country where he is currently located.

• TheCare centers after Sexual Violenceare multidisciplinary centers where victims are cared for in an accessible manner and with a holistic approach. An analysis must be made of how the operation of these centers can be optimized and possibly expanded, so that it also becomes a reception point for non-acute victims;

• Investigate whether the right to speak should be replaced by onespeaking obligationwhen a minor or vulnerable person is or is at risk of becoming a victim of very serious crimes, such as sexual violence. A mandatory multidisciplinary case consultation between the police, the judiciary and emergency services can be implemented to promote information sharing.

• Automatic intervention of theVictim Reception Serviceto all victims of sexual violence, so that they are better informed and assisted throughout the legal proceedings.

• Reducing the large number of dismissed files (58%) by usingspecific research strategies and DNA researchto optimize.

• To bet onmeaningful detentionby offering offenders specialized treatment and guidance in prison.

• Offenders with a high risk of recidivism receive a complete (and general)ban on contact with minorsimpose as a form of security measure.

• Due to a lack of time, the Commission of Inquiry was no longer able to consider the report of the High Council of Justice on Operation Kelk (transmitted on April 16), which referred to several “dysfunctions” during that investigation. The Commission of Inquiry therefore immediately advocates theestablishment of a new investigative committee to look into Operation Kelk.