Brussels (Brussels Morning) – A Dutch-speaking rape victim in Brussels couldn’t get help in her language at a Sexual Violence Care Center, highlighting the city’s language issues. This forced her to travel to Leuven for assistance.
The victim tells how the rape happened, a few weeks ago. She said she pushed the person she was with that night away several times and said she did not want sex, but he continued to insist and eventually forced her. “He continued to move on,” she testifies.
What Challenges Do Language Issues Pose for Brussels Care Centers?
Only almost 24 hours later did she dare to call it rape. “It is difficult to admit to yourself that something so serious has happened,” she says at VRT News. So on Sunday morning, she went to a Sexual Violence Care Center, of which our country now has ten, in Brussels. “My roommate called there and asked if I could come over. She asked if she could have the conversation in Dutch. The answer to that was already no. Then she asked if I could be helped in Dutch, and they said no. They said they only had people who spoke French and Portuguese at the time, and that I could wait until Monday. Then there was someone present who spoke English.”
Why Did a Rape Victim Have to Travel for Help?
However, for DNA sample collections it is important to go to that healthcare institution as quickly as possible. But Anne found telling her story in a language she did not speak too difficult. “I might like it in general terms, but an extreme amount of detail is required.” Telling roughly intimate details, “These are not things I can do in French, and certainly not at a time when I am very emotional and panicking.” “Then you want to do that in your native language.”
She eventually moved to the care centre in Leuven. Practically not easy, and also not good because in the event of a rape, it is better to be there as quickly as possible. “It is in any case quite a barrier to go to a care centre, and one in your city is more feasible than one in another city. It’s not fair that I have to go somewhere else because I live in Brussels and speak Dutch.” It is also annoying that follow-up by the psychologist, interrogation by the police and so on had to take place in Leuven. According to her, it makes Anne angry and indignant.
Can Brussels Care Centers Address the Language Needs of All Victims?
The care centre in Brussels defends itself in a response to VRT News by writing that it “cares for everyone who comes to us on their own initiative or is brought in by the police, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, regardless of the language in which they speak.” expression, their social situation, their gender or their age”. “There is no one who could not benefit from quality care for linguistic reasons. However, we can never guarantee that care will be provided by a professional who speaks the victim’s native language, but we always work together with the victims and in their interests.”
Just like Anne, Brussels politician Elke Van den Brandt (Green) thinks that is not possible. “People should be able to tell their story in their own language, especially at a time when they are very vulnerable. That is about this situation, about people who need care.”
