Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Five children from 18 months to 3 years of age suffered sexual abuse at the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) creche. Following the molestation cases at ULB’s childcare facility in Brussels, police initiated an official investigation, which resulted in the arrest of a childcare professional along with her ex-partner.
Protectors from a crèche in partnership with the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) have been arrested for child mistreatment with their former partner. The public prosecutor for Brussels confirmed that five children from ages 18 months to 3 years old suffered molestation at the daycare facility. Authorities claim the incidents took place from October 2020 until October 2022. The police began their investigation upon discovering social media posts, which led authorities to identify and capture the persons responsible.
The public prosecutor’s office only got wind of the case last year when messages about the case were posted on social media.
“This communication was taken very seriously and an investigation was immediately started.”
At the end of last year, one of the suspects involved and the daycare centre were identified. House searches were then carried out and the two suspects were arrested. They are still in jail.
The parents of the 5 victims were informed by the public prosecutor’s office that their children were in the case. The ULB was also informed of the facts of the assault.
“We are fully cooperating with the Brussels public prosecutor’s office, the investigating judge and the police.”
“The families concerned have been informed and psychological and legal support is available to them,”
The ULB said in the statement. A reception centre will be open from 9:30 on Thursday. A helpline will also be available from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on 0800 61 102.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister of the French Community Elisabeth Degryse and Minister of Children Valérie Lescrenier reacted with shock to the news.
“Like the entire ULB community, we are shocked by the information that an investigation is underway into child abuse in a university crèche.”
They say they are in contact with the rector of the ULB.
“We want to offer all our support. Our thoughts also go out to the families involved.”
What is the history of Childcare Safety at ULB and similar institutions?
The Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) was established in 1834 as a Belgian institution that stands out for its academic stature and its childcare services along with its other service offerings to the community. The incident stands as one of the most severe cases of abuse involving the crèche facilities at the institution.
The safety practices of childcare institutions in Belgium have come under harsh inspection throughout time because abuse-related incidents sometimes appear at public and private care facilities.
The Belgian government has increased behavioural restrictions over daycare centres through extensive background screenings and advanced education requirements for personnel. Cases like this demonstrate that efforts to protect children remain difficult to achieve despite the implemented regulations.
The reliable status of the ULB creche facility serving university staff and students is making these recent accusations more troubling for the institution.
