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Free Guide to Hiring a Family Lawyer
Child abuse in Hasselt, and throughout Belgium, covers any physical, sexual, psychological harm or neglect of a person under 18. It can happen within families, at school, online, or in institutions. Belgium treats child abuse as a serious crime under federal criminal law and also provides child protection and welfare measures through regional services. Hasselt is in the Flemish Region, Province of Limburg, so Flemish youth care rules and services apply alongside federal criminal law. In practice, criminal investigations are handled by the police and the public prosecutor, while protective measures for the child can be ordered by the Youth Court in the Court of First Instance Limburg, division Hasselt. Specialized Flemish services, such as the Confidential Centres on Child Abuse and general welfare centers, work with families and professionals to assess risk and plan safety.
This guide gives general information. It is not legal advice. If you are directly involved in a situation, consult a qualified lawyer in Limburg for tailored guidance.
You may need a lawyer if you are a parent or guardian seeking urgent safety measures for a child. A lawyer can help you request protective orders, work with youth care agencies, and represent you in the Youth Court or Family Court. If you are a survivor or the non-abusive parent, a lawyer can help you file a criminal complaint, obtain a restraining order or a temporary house ban for an abusive partner, and navigate custody and visitation arrangements that prioritize safety.
If you have been accused of abuse, a lawyer is essential to protect your rights, manage contact restrictions, and prepare for police interviews and court hearings. If you are a teacher, doctor, coach, or other professional, a lawyer can advise you on reporting options, confidentiality, and how to comply with your duty of care while respecting professional secrecy rules.
International and cross-border issues, digital evidence, false allegations, or complex medical questions also call for legal support, often in coordination with child welfare professionals and victim support services.
Criminal offenses. Belgian criminal law prohibits physical assault, cruel treatment, neglect that endangers health, and psychological abuse of minors. Sexual offenses involving minors are severely penalized, including rape and sexual assault, grooming, exploitation, and creation or distribution of child sexual abuse material. The general age of sexual consent in Belgium is 16. Close-in-age situations involving 14 or 15 year olds are treated with care, but any relationship of authority, coercion, or exploitation is criminal.
Reporting and confidentiality. Belgium does not impose universal mandatory reporting for all citizens. However, professionals in care and education have a strong duty of care. Belgian law allows certain professionals to lift professional secrecy to prevent or stop serious harm to a minor. When there is serious and imminent danger or when a criminal offense against a minor is suspected, doctors, psychologists, and social workers may contact appropriate services or the prosecutor to protect the child.
Child protection measures. In urgent or high-risk cases, the Youth Court can order measures to protect a child, such as in-home support, supervised visitation, placement with relatives or foster care, or tailored safety plans. These measures are civil and protective, separate from criminal punishment, and focus on the best interests of the child. In Flanders, youth care is coordinated through integrated services that assess needs and risks and provide support to the family wherever possible.
Domestic violence and house bans. If child abuse occurs in a context of intimate partner violence, authorities can use a temporary house ban. The mayor, upon police advice, may order an alleged perpetrator to leave the home for a short period to protect family members while a longer term solution is explored by the prosecutor or the court.
Investigations and evidence. Police and prosecutors in Limburg handle criminal investigations. Interviews with children are conducted using child-friendly protocols to avoid repeated questioning. Useful evidence includes medical reports, photographs of injuries, digital messages, social media content, and witness statements from neighbors, teachers, or caregivers. Protecting digital evidence and avoiding direct confrontations are important for safety and for the integrity of the case.
Limitation periods. For many offenses against minors, limitation periods are significantly extended and often start on the victim’s 18th birthday. The exact time limits depend on the gravity of the offense. Early legal advice helps preserve evidence and meet deadlines.
Victims’ rights and support. Victims and non-abusive caregivers can receive information, accompaniment to hearings, and practical help through victim support services. Interpreters can be arranged where needed. Legal aid is available in Limburg for those who qualify based on income, and first-line legal advice is accessible to anyone.
If there is immediate danger, call the police or emergency services. For advice and non-urgent concerns, contact the Flemish helpline 1712 or the local Confidential Centre on Child Abuse in Limburg. You can also speak with the school’s pupil guidance center or a general welfare center. Provide concrete observations and keep notes of dates, injuries, statements, or digital messages. If you are a professional, follow your organization’s safeguarding protocol.
You can contact 1712 anonymously to receive guidance and to pass on concerns. The police can receive information without a formal complaint, but for an official criminal complaint your identity will normally be recorded. Child welfare services will focus on the child’s safety regardless of whether the reporter discloses their identity.
Depending on the risk and urgency, the police and prosecutor may open a criminal investigation, and youth care services may start a safety assessment. The child’s immediate safety is prioritized. The Youth Court can make urgent protective orders. Interviews are conducted in a child-sensitive manner, and a safety plan may be put in place while the investigation continues.
Removal is a last resort. Authorities aim to keep the child safely at home with support whenever possible. If safety cannot be assured, the Youth Court may order temporary placement with relatives or foster care. Decisions are based on risk, available support, and the best interests of the child, and they are reviewed periodically.
Seek medical attention promptly and request a medical report. Save messages, emails, call logs, and social media communications. Photograph injuries with date stamps. Keep a contemporaneous diary of incidents. Avoid repeatedly questioning the child. Share evidence with the police or your lawyer and store copies securely.
Contact a criminal defense lawyer immediately. Do not contact the child or the reporting party. Respect any no-contact or house ban orders. You have the right to remain silent and to be assisted by a lawyer during questioning. Provide your lawyer with any exculpatory evidence or witnesses. Follow all interim measures set by authorities.
There is no general mandatory reporting law for all citizens, but professionals have a duty of care. Belgian law allows professionals to lift professional secrecy when necessary to protect a minor from serious harm. In practice, many professionals consult the 1712 helpline or the Confidential Centre on Child Abuse in Limburg for guidance and will report when safety requires it.
Urgent protective measures can be ordered within days. Criminal investigations can take months, and complex cases may take longer. The timeline depends on the evidence, expert reports, and court scheduling. Throughout the process, safety planning and support services continue in parallel.
For offenses against minors, limitation periods are extended and often begin when the victim turns 18. The length varies with the severity of the offense. Because deadlines can be complex, get legal advice early to avoid missing critical time limits and to preserve evidence.
Yes. First-line legal advice is available to everyone. If your income is below certain thresholds, you may qualify for second-line legal aid, often called pro deo assistance, through the legal aid bureau in Limburg. Victim support services can also guide you to appropriate legal assistance.
Police and emergency services in Belgium. Call 101 for police. Call 112 for emergencies. In urgent danger, always call immediately.
Helpline 1712. Flemish helpline for violence, abuse, and child abuse. Provides confidential advice and referral. You can call anonymously.
Vertrouwenscentrum Kindermishandeling Limburg. Confidential Centre on Child Abuse for assessment, advice, and coordinated help. Accessible to parents, children, and professionals.
Ondersteuningscentrum Jeugdzorg Limburg. Youth care support center that intervenes when a child’s safety or development is at risk and voluntary help is not sufficient.
CAW Limburg. General Welfare Centre providing victim support, safety planning, and practical assistance for families and survivors.
Family Justice Center Limburg. Multi-agency support for families affected by domestic violence and child abuse, coordinating safety and care.
CLB Pupil Guidance Centre. School-based guidance and support that can help identify risks and coordinate care for pupils and families.
Zorgcentrum na Seksueel Geweld. Specialized sexual assault care centers offering medical care, forensic examination, and psychosocial support. Contact the police or 1712 to be directed to the nearest center.
Child Focus 116000. Hotline for missing and sexually exploited children offering support and guidance.
Legal aid and bar association in Limburg. First-line legal advice and pro deo lawyer appointments for those who qualify. Contact the legal aid bureau or the local bar association for intake and eligibility.
Prioritize safety. If there is immediate danger, call the police or emergency services. Move to a safe location if needed and consider a temporary house ban against an abusive partner with police assistance.
Seek confidential guidance. Call 1712 or contact the Confidential Centre on Child Abuse in Limburg to discuss concerns, plan next steps, and coordinate support.
Document the situation. Preserve messages, medical records, photos, and a timeline of incidents. Avoid direct confrontations and do not question the child repeatedly. Share information with your lawyer or the authorities.
Consult a lawyer. A local lawyer in Hasselt can advise on protective orders, criminal complaints, youth court procedures, and custody issues. Ask about first-line legal advice and pro deo eligibility if cost is a concern.
Engage with support services. Work with CAW, CLB, and youth care services to build a safety plan and access practical help such as shelter, counseling, and supervised contact arrangements.
Follow through with procedures. Attend scheduled interviews and hearings. Comply with court orders and safety plans. Keep your lawyer and support services informed of any changes or breaches.
Review and adjust. Protective measures and care plans are reviewed over time. Provide updates to the court or services about progress, new risks, or support needs.
Note on confidentiality. Ask services to explain how your information is used and shared. If you need language assistance, request an interpreter for police interviews and court hearings.
Taking early, informed action helps protect children, preserves your rights, and improves outcomes in both protection and criminal processes in Hasselt and the wider Limburg region.
