Rape or sexual assault
• We take any report of rape or sexual assault seriously and will see you to offer you support as soon as possible and if at all possible, in private. We aim to be polite, patient, sensitive and non-judgmental. In most cases of rape and sexual assault, the victims, no matter what their sex, prefer to talk about their ordeal with women. If that is what you want, we will do our best to make sure that a female is present at any meeting.
• We can tell you about local police and legal procedures. If you want to contact the police, we can come to the police station with you. Where possible we can try to make sure that you are interviewed by a female officer if that is what you would prefer. If you want us to, we can give you a list of local lawyers and interpreters. However, only you can decide whether or not to take legal action: we cannot make this decision for you. Remember that if you choose not to report the crime immediately but change your mind later, forensic and other evidence may be lost. Also, in most countries, including Belgium, you must report the crime before returning to the UK if you want it to be investigated.
• We can help you deal with the local authorities in arranging a medical examination, where possible with a female doctor if that is what you would prefer. Depending on local conditions and laws, we can also arrange for you to see a doctor who can give advice on sexually transmitted infections, including HIV and AIDS, and on pregnancy or abortion. There is a treatment available in the UK and Belgium called Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) that, if taken early enough, is thought to stop HIV from replicating in the body, thereby preventing the virus from attacking the immune system. Medical advice about PEP should always be sought, as the treatment may not be of beneficial use in all cases.
• If you want us to, we can contact your next of kin or other family and friends. If you want, we can give you information on what professional help is available locally and in the UK, both for you and for your family. We can also consult our London-based Police Adviser, who can consider using the service of a Sexual Offences Trained Officer from your local police station to advise and help you.
We have a leaflet called Rape and sexual assault overseas with more information.
What steps can you take when you become victim of sexual assault?
Find someone to talk to may help you to determine the best course of action. S.O.S. VIOL offers assistance from Monday to Friday from 09.30 hrs – 17.30 hrs.
Lodge a complaint:
- This step is not easy but may be proved useful in order to be identified as a victim on a judicial level.
- To do so, you should go to a police office nearest to your residence or the place of assault.
- Do not forget your passport or identity card. Re-read carefully your declaration before signing it and ask for the number of your “process-verbal” (P.V.). This number will facilitate getting access to all the information related to your file.
- It is extremely advisable to lodge a complaint as soon as possible after the facts. However, even after a certain amount of time you still have the possibility to make a declaration of the incident with any judicial authorities.
In order to be assisted when taking any steps, you can be accompanied by a person of trust.
See a doctor:
A consultation with a doctor will allow you to get first medical aid. Do not hesitate to request a full medical examination as well as a test to detect any possible sexually transmitted diseases. If you do not use any steady contraceptive methods, we remind you of the existence of the “morning after pill”.
There are several options:
- If you would like to start a legal procedure, it is advisable to go to the emergency unit of a hospital as quickly as possible. Try to avoid to change clothes and to wash yourself as every trace of the assault may contribute to the investigations. This process is painful and unpleasant, but may be proved important for the rest of the legal procedure. During the medical examination, you can be accompanied by a doctor of your choice.
- If you do not wish to start legal proceedings immediately, you can visit your GP, your gynaecologist or a hospital in order to get the necessary medical treatment. During this visit, the doctor can also establish and record the traces of the assault and certify his observations.
USEFUL ADDRESSES AND CONTACTS
In Belgium
- S.O.S. VIOL
Rue de Bordeaux 62A
1060 Brussels
Tel: +32 (0)2 534.36.36
- S.O.S. JEUNES (for victims under 20)
Rue Mercelis 27
1050 Brussels
Tel: +32 (0)2 512.90.38
- COMMUNITY HELP SERVICE
Boulevard de la Cambre/Terkamerenlaan 33-39
1000 Brussels
The Help Line : +32 (0)648. 40.14
In the United Kingdom
- RELATE
Relate offers a relationship counselling service, and provides a counseling service for victims of rape and sexual assault and their partners, particularly where trauma leads to relationship difficulties. Their help line is open from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm, Monday to Friday and can be reached on 0300 100 1234.
- VICTIM SUPPORT
Victim Support provides information and confidential support to victims of rape and sexual assault, and can refer victims to other support networks and local agencies if necessary. Their national help line is open from 9 am to 9 pm, Monday to Friday and 9 am to 7 pm at weekends and from 9 am to 5 pm bank holidays.
