Operation Chalice
A total of 54 victims of abuse testified before the parliamentary investigative committee in recent months. — © Bart Dewaele
The parliamentary committee of inquiry into child abuse and sexual violence makes 137 recommendations to better combat child abuse and sexual violence. The appointment of a government commissioner is one of those recommendations.
Mark Eeckhaut, Heleen Debeuckelaere, Karlien Beckers
Today at 12:34
The parliamentary committee was established six months ago after the broadcast of Godforsaken, the VRT series about sexual violence within the church. A total of 54 victims of abuse testified before the committee in recent months. The committee not only dealt with sexual abuse in the church, but also in other parts of society. She presented her report on Thursday morning.
The most striking of the committee’s 137 recommendations is that parliament should appoint a government commissioner with the authority to address “sexual misconduct and sexual violence against minors and vulnerable persons”. That commissioner would head a newly established expertise center on sexual violence. This center will be the point of contact for those responsible for policy and must formulate policy advice on the fight against sexual abuse. That center would have recognized experts with different specialties. “The committee of inquiry is of the opinion that there is a great need for independent scientific research into sexual abuse,” the report says.
The committee also requests that a new system be developed to pay compensation to victims. According to the committee, the current Arbitration Commission, which was established in 2011, after the first parliamentary commission on abuse, should be replaced by a new one. The committee also believes that a stronger focus is needed on care for victims. For example, there should be a chat line that is available 24 hours a day and there should be a permanent presence of lawyers who specialize in sexual abuse. The committee also calls for November 18 to become an official day of remembrance for all victims of sexual violence.
Parliamentary committee bis
Even more striking: last month the Supreme Council of Justice presented its report to the committee on Operation Kelk, the judicial investigation into sexual abuse in the church. That investigation began in June 2010 but is still incomplete today. The Supreme Court noted several shortcomings in its investigation and even writes that there are “indications” that the Church has tried to put pressure on the court. There was no time left for the parliamentary committee to extensively test the Supreme Court’s findings.
The committee therefore proposes to set up a new investigative committee after the elections to check the Supreme Court’s findings. The report was voted on in committee and will be submitted to Parliament for approval today/Thursday.
The most important recommendations
1. The appointment of a commissioner for sexual misconduct and sexual violence against minors and vulnerable persons. He will take charge of the Sexual Violence Expertise Center to be established.
2. The establishment of a new, independent Arbitration Committee with a focus on victims of non-acute sexual violence and legally barred facts.
3. An investigation into the possibility of a retroactive abolition of the limitation period for child sexual abuse.
4. The establishment of a recovery fund, financed by the perpetrator and/or the organizing institution in whose context the sexual violence took place. This fund can provide assistance for all costs that victims have to incur after sexual violence.
5. November 18 as a day of remembrance for all victims of sexual violence.
6. Investigate whether the right to speak should be replaced by an obligation to speak for healthcare providers with professional secrecy when a minor or vulnerable person is or threatens to become a victim of very serious crimes, such as sexual violence.
7. With regard to the church: guarantee that after a transfer or a move, the perpetrator’s file is always in the possession of the superior in the country where he is at that time.
Tags: Commission Inquiry recommendations government commissioner tackle sexual abuse
