Best Sex Crime Lawyers in Hasselt

About Sex Crime Law in Hasselt, Belgium

Sex crime cases in Hasselt are governed by Belgian national criminal law, with investigations handled by the local police zone and prosecutions directed by the public prosecutor for Limburg. Belgium overhauled its sexual criminal law in 2022, placing consent at the center of the legal framework and modernizing offenses to include online harms such as non-consensual sharing of intimate images, grooming, and online harassment. The courts sitting in Hasselt hear most cases that arise in the area.

Both those reporting harm and those accused are afforded significant procedural protections. Victims have access to free medical and psychosocial support, options to report or to have evidence secured even before deciding whether to file a complaint, and the right to legal assistance. Suspects have the right to remain silent, to consult a lawyer before and during interrogation, and to a fair and impartial process. Penalties for sexual offenses can be severe and include imprisonment, fines, supervision orders, and restrictions on working with minors.

If you live, study, or work in Hasselt and are affected by a potential sexual offense, understanding how Belgian law defines consent, what conduct is criminalized, and how the procedure unfolds will help you make informed decisions and protect your rights.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

You may need a lawyer if you have been contacted by the police about a complaint, received a summons for questioning, are under arrest or pre-trial investigation, or have been charged by the prosecutor. Early legal advice helps you understand the allegations, prepare for interrogation, and avoid unintentionally waiving rights. In Belgium, you have the Salduz right to consult a lawyer before your first police interview and to have a lawyer present during questioning for serious offenses. Using these rights is critical in sex crime cases where statements and digital evidence often play a central role.

Victims and complainants also benefit from legal counsel. A lawyer can explain reporting options, help you access a Sexual Assault Care Centre, preserve evidence, request protective measures such as a contact ban, and guide you on becoming a civil party in the proceedings to claim compensation. Counsel can keep you informed about case progress and help you navigate medical and psychosocial support without compromising your legal position.

Employers, schools, and organizations in Hasselt sometimes face internal reports that may also raise criminal law issues. Legal advice can help you meet safeguarding duties, cooperate with authorities, and manage confidentiality and data protection correctly while protecting those involved.

Local Laws Overview

Key concepts under Belgian sexual offense law include the following. Although the rules are national, they apply in Hasselt through local police and courts.

Consent and offenses: Consent must be free and informed and can be withdrawn at any time. Any sexual act without consent is unlawful. Rape covers any form of sexual penetration, however slight, without consent. Sexual assault covers other non-consensual sexual acts without penetration. Violence, threats, coercion, abuse of a position of authority, intoxication of the victim, or taking advantage of a vulnerable person are aggravating factors that increase penalties.

Age of consent: The general age of consent is 16. Sexual acts with a person under 16 are criminal. The law and prosecutors consider factors such as age difference, maturity, and imbalance of power. Offenses against minors carry heavier penalties and longer limitation periods. Even where teenagers are close in age, the authorities can intervene if there are indications of exploitation, coercion, or harm.

Online and technology-related offenses: It is a crime to record, share, or threaten to share intimate images of someone without their consent. Upskirting, voyeurism, sexual harassment online, sextortion, grooming of minors, and luring a child for sexual purposes are prosecutable. Devices, accounts, and cloud data may be seized or forensically examined during an investigation.

Harassment and public space: Persistent unwanted sexual attention, stalking, and certain forms of sexist conduct in public are punishable. When conduct has a sexual dimension or targets a person because of sex or gender, the offense and penalties may be aggravated.

Procedure in Hasselt: Complaints can be filed with the local police or the prosecutor. The prosecutor decides on investigation steps and charges. An investigating judge may be appointed in complex or serious cases, with possible searches, phone seizures, or pre-trial detention. Belgium does not use a cash bail system. Pre-trial detention and release with conditions are decided by a judge and periodically reviewed by the council chamber in Hasselt and, on appeal, by the indictment chamber.

Rights of suspects: You have the right to remain silent, to consult a lawyer before your first police interview, to have a lawyer present during questioning for serious offenses, to interpretation if you do not speak Dutch or French, and to medical care if detained. Do not destroy or tamper with potential evidence, including phones or messages, as this can lead to additional charges.

Rights of victims: Victims can seek confidential medical care and forensic examination at a Sexual Assault Care Centre. Evidence can be secured even if you have not yet decided to file a police complaint. Victims may be accompanied by a trusted person and can obtain free or subsidized legal advice. A court can impose no-contact orders and other protective measures.

Outcomes and sanctions: Most sexual offenses are tried in the correctional court in Hasselt. Convictions may lead to imprisonment, fines, probation-like conditions, electronic monitoring, treatment obligations, and long-term bans on working with minors. Sexual offense convictions affect criminal record extracts used for employment screening, especially for roles involving contact with children or vulnerable people.

Limitation periods: Time limits to prosecute vary by offense and are longer for crimes against minors, with the clock usually paused while the victim is under 18. Legal advice is necessary to calculate deadlines in a specific case.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is considered consent under Belgian law?

Consent must be given freely by a person with capacity and can be withdrawn at any time. Silence or passivity is not consent. Consent given under threats, coercion, deception about essential elements, or while incapacitated by alcohol or drugs is invalid. Once consent is withdrawn, continuing the act is a crime.

What is the legal difference between rape and sexual assault?

Rape involves any form of sexual penetration without consent. Sexual assault covers other non-consensual sexual acts that do not involve penetration. Both can attract serious penalties, which increase when aggravating factors are present, such as violence, use of a weapon, or abuse of authority.

What is the age of consent and how does it apply to teenagers?

The general age of consent is 16. Sexual acts with a person under 16 are criminal. Prosecutors consider the age gap, maturity, and power dynamics. Crimes against minors carry heavier penalties and longer time limits for prosecution. If you are unsure how the law applies to a specific situation, get advice before speaking to the police.

Can I be prosecuted for sharing intimate images if I had permission at the time?

Consent to create or share an image can be limited to a specific person, platform, or purpose. Forwarding, reposting, or showing the image beyond what was agreed can be a crime. Sharing without consent, threatening to share, or using images to coerce someone can lead to prosecution, even if the image was initially created consensually.

What should I do immediately after a sexual assault in Hasselt?

If you are in danger, call 101 for police or 112 for emergency services. Seek medical care as soon as possible and avoid washing or changing clothes if you can, to preserve evidence. You can receive confidential medical and forensic care at a Sexual Assault Care Centre. You do not have to make an immediate police complaint to get care. Contact a lawyer or victim support to understand your options.

I have been invited to the police station for an interview. Do I need a lawyer?

Yes. You have the right to consult a lawyer before your first interview and to have a lawyer present during questioning for serious offenses. A lawyer will prepare you, sit in on the interview, protect your right to remain silent, and help you avoid misunderstandings. Do not provide a written or recorded statement before you have legal advice.

Is there bail in Belgium?

Belgium does not use a cash bail system. If you are arrested, an investigating judge decides on release or pre-trial detention. Release can be subject to conditions such as a no-contact order, residence requirements, or electronic monitoring. Decisions are reviewed regularly by the council chamber in Hasselt, with a right of appeal.

How long do sex crime cases take in Hasselt?

Timelines vary with the complexity of the case, need for forensic or digital analysis, and court schedules. Some investigations conclude within months, while others take longer, especially when expert reports are needed. A lawyer can push for proportionate measures and keep you informed about milestones and possible delays.

Will a conviction appear on my criminal record and affect my work?

Yes. Sexual offense convictions appear on the central criminal record and typically show up on the enhanced extract required for jobs involving contact with minors. Courts can also impose bans on exercising certain professions or activities. Legal advice is essential if your job or studies involve vulnerable persons.

I am an international student or expat. Can a sex crime case affect my residence status?

Yes. A conviction for a serious offense can influence residence permits and future immigration applications. Even during an investigation, conditions of release can restrict travel. If you are not a Belgian national, speak to a criminal lawyer and, if needed, an immigration lawyer to manage both aspects.

Additional Resources

Local police Hasselt - Police Zone Limburg Regio Hoofdstad. For emergencies call 101. For immediate danger call 112.

Public Prosecutor Limburg - Hasselt division. Handles investigations and prosecutions for the region.

Sexual Assault Care Centre - multidisciplinary medical, forensic, and psychosocial support. Accessible 24-7. Staff can explain reporting options and secure evidence.

1712 - Flemish helpline for violence, abuse, and child maltreatment. Free and confidential guidance by phone or chat.

CAW Limburg - Slachtofferhulp. Practical and emotional support for victims and relatives, including help with police and court contacts.

Justitiehuis Limburg - Hasselt. Information for victims and defendants about procedural rights and support pathways.

Bureau voor Juridische Bijstand Limburg - Application point for pro deo legal aid if you qualify based on income or vulnerability.

Child Focus 116000 - Hotline for cases involving minors, including online sexual exploitation.

Next Steps

Preserve evidence. Save messages, emails, call logs, images, and social media content. Do not delete or alter data. Note dates, times, and potential witnesses. If you are a victim, seek medical care promptly. If you are a suspect, do not contact the complainant or potential witnesses without legal advice.

Contact a Hasselt-based criminal lawyer with experience in sexual offense cases. Ask for urgent Salduz assistance if the police want to question you. Bring identification, any documents you received from the police, and your device access details for legal review. If cost is a concern, inquire about pro deo legal aid through the Bureau voor Juridische Bijstand.

Consider support services. Victims can contact a Sexual Assault Care Centre, 1712, or CAW Limburg for confidential help. Defendants can seek psychosocial support to manage the stress of proceedings and, where appropriate, begin treatment or counseling that may be relevant for court.

Decide on reporting or response strategy with your lawyer. This includes whether and how to file a complaint, how to respond to a police invitation, whether to provide a written statement, and how to handle media or employer communications. Your lawyer can also request protective measures or tailored release conditions if needed.

Stay informed and comply with conditions. Attend all appointments, court dates, and reviews at the council chamber. Respect no-contact or location bans. Keep your lawyer updated about changes in your circumstances. Careful compliance protects both your legal position and your wellbeing.

This guide is for information only and is not a substitute for tailored legal advice. For case-specific guidance in Hasselt, consult a qualified Belgian criminal lawyer without delay.