Ostend (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – A 44-year-old woman from Ostend faces criminal charges for attempting to kill her two daughters, who are 12 and 15 years old. The driver experienced a crash with a lamppost during nighttime operations in De Haan before plunging into the canal.
The criminal investigation focuses on a 44-year-old woman from Ostend for allegedly trying to kill her daughters, who are 12 and 15 years old, through a motor vehicle accident in De Haan. The authorities now investigate this incident at Nieuwe Rijksweg through De Haan to Wenduine as a possible intentional act despite the mother transparently denying these claims.
The incident happened at 1:30 am between February 4 and 5 as the woman lost control of her vehicle before hitting a lamppost and ending up in a canal. The mother’s daughters rode with her when the car crash happened. Multiple passengers suffered injuries because all three occupants were not wearing seat belts; the eldest daughter remains in critical condition. The prison in Bruges currently holds the mother in their infirmary while she remains under custody. A hearing before the council chamber in Bruges will decide whether to extend her detention as the woman prepares to face judgment.
What is the context of familial violence and attempted murder cases in Belgium?
Around 10,200 familial violence cases were reported in Belgium for the year 2022, showing a minimal increase from 2021 figures. One-third of Belgian women have survived experiences of partner violence, indicating domestic abuse affects many people in the country.
Belgium has faced numerous tragic cases of violence that occur within family units. The national horror occurred in 2007 when Geneviève Lhermitte took the lives of her entire five children. The significance of mental health support becomes evident through these serious events, which demand attention for families dealing with crises.
The Belgian government fights domestic violence through public information initiatives and changes in legal regulations. Identifying and preventing new cases at an early stage continues to face multiple difficulties. The domestic violence helpline received 70% more calls during pandemic lockdown periods.
