Best Sexual Abuse Lawyers in Hasselt

About Sexual Abuse Law in Hasselt, Belgium

Sexual abuse is a criminal offense in Belgium and is taken very seriously by the police, prosecutors, and courts in Hasselt and across Limburg. Belgian law protects a person’s right to bodily integrity and free consent. The law covers a wide range of conduct, including non-consensual sexual touching, rape, sexual exploitation, grooming of minors, online sexual abuse, distribution of intimate images without consent, voyeurism, and sexual harassment that crosses into criminal behavior. Survivors have the right to safety, medical and psychological care, and to pursue justice through the criminal courts and civil compensation routes.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

A lawyer can be crucial at many points after sexual abuse. Common situations include deciding how and when to report to the police, preserving evidence, and understanding what to expect during a police interview or medical-forensic examination. A lawyer can help you become a civil party to claim damages, explain your rights during the investigation, and request no-contact or other protective measures. If the case involves minors, a workplace or school setting, digital evidence, or cross-border conduct, legal guidance becomes even more important. A lawyer can also help with privacy protections, media issues, and immigration or residence concerns, and can coordinate with support services so you do not have to manage everything alone.

Local Laws Overview

Key points of Belgian sexual offense law that are relevant in Hasselt include the following.

- Consent must be free and can be withdrawn at any time. There is no consent if a person is intimidated, coerced, unconscious, asleep, intoxicated to the point of incapacity, or otherwise unable to freely choose.

- Sexual assault covers non-penetrative sexual acts without consent. Rape covers any non-consensual penetration of a sexual nature, including with a body part or object, and includes oral and anal penetration.

- Minors are specially protected. The general age of consent in Belgium is 16. Sexual acts with a person under that age are criminal, and penalties are higher for younger victims and for abuse by a person in a position of authority or trust.

- Digital and image-based abuse is criminal. This includes grooming, non-consensual sharing of intimate images, sexual extortion, upskirting, and voyeurism.

- Aggravating circumstances increase penalties. These include use of violence or threats, involvement of multiple offenders, abuse within a domestic or institutional relationship, intoxication of the victim, and recording or dissemination of the abuse.

- Reporting and investigation. You can report to the local police in Hasselt or another police zone. The public prosecutor directs the investigation. An investigating judge may be appointed for serious cases and can order protective measures, searches, and expert examinations.

- Medical and forensic care. Sexual Assault Care Centers provide 24-7 medical care, emergency contraception, STI prophylaxis, psychological support, and forensic evidence collection. Forensic samples can typically be stored for a period if you are not ready to file a complaint immediately.

- Victim status and civil party. You can register as an injured party to receive updates. You may also become a civil party to claim compensation and, in some cases, to trigger a judicial investigation by an investigating judge.

- Protective measures. No-contact orders, exclusion from the home in domestic contexts, and pretrial detention are available where needed for safety.

- Privacy protections. Courts can limit public access to hearings to protect victims, especially minors. Publication of identifying details of victims is restricted.

- Limitation periods. Time limits to prosecute sexual offenses are long and are even longer when the victim was a minor, often starting from the victim’s 18th birthday. A lawyer can assess the applicable deadline for your situation.

- Compensation. You can seek damages from the offender in criminal or civil proceedings. If the offender cannot pay, the Commission for Financial Aid to Victims of Intentional Acts of Violence may offer state compensation under conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What counts as sexual abuse under Belgian law?

Any sexual act without free consent can be an offense. This includes non-consensual touching, forced or coerced sexual acts, rape, sexual exploitation, grooming of minors, sexual harassment that becomes criminal, and online abuse such as sharing intimate images without permission. The context and the presence or absence of consent are central.

What is the age of consent?

In Belgium the general age of consent is 16. Sexual acts with a minor under 16 are criminal, and penalties are higher for younger minors and in situations of authority or trust. A lawyer can explain how the law applies to close-in-age situations and other specific circumstances.

Do I have to report immediately?

No. While prompt reporting can help preserve evidence, you are not legally required to report immediately. Forensic evidence can often be collected and stored for a period at a Sexual Assault Care Center, allowing you time to decide whether to file a complaint. Be mindful of limitation periods and speak with a lawyer or support professional as soon as you can.

How do I report in Hasselt and what happens next?

You can report at any police station, including the local zone that serves Hasselt. The police will take your statement and can refer you for medical-forensic care. The public prosecutor decides on investigative steps. In serious cases an investigating judge may be appointed. You will be updated on the progress if you are registered as a victim or civil party.

Can I get a medical-forensic exam without talking to the police?

Yes. Sexual Assault Care Centers provide confidential medical care, psychological support, and forensic evidence collection even if you are not ready to file a police complaint. Evidence can typically be stored for a limited time so you can decide later.

Will the suspected person immediately know that I reported?

Not necessarily. The police and prosecutor control the timing of contact with a suspect. In some cases they will interview or arrest the suspect promptly, but they can also conduct preliminary steps first. Discuss safety planning with your care team and lawyer.

Can proceedings be private to protect me?

Yes. Belgian law allows the court to restrict public access to hearings to protect victims, especially minors, and to limit publication of identifying information. Your lawyer can request specific privacy measures.

What if the abuse happened online or my images were shared?

Online sexual abuse is a crime. Save evidence such as screenshots, URLs, and platform details without engaging the offender. Do not alter the device if possible. Platforms may take content down, and the police can request preservation of data. A lawyer can help coordinate rapid takedown requests and evidence preservation.

Can I get a no-contact order?

Courts can impose no-contact conditions during the investigation and as part of sentencing. In domestic contexts, temporary removal from the home is possible. Tell the police and your lawyer about any safety concerns right away.

How do I pay for a lawyer, and can I get legal aid?

Belgium offers first-line free legal advice and second-line legal aid with reduced or zero fees based on income. Ask about Bureau for Legal Aid in Limburg and the local bar association for lawyer appointments. Victim support services can help you apply.

Additional Resources

Emergency services - call 112 for urgent medical help or immediate danger.

Police - call 101 for police assistance or go to your local station in Hasselt.

Sexual Assault Care Center - Zorgcentrum na Seksueel Geweld, 24-7 medical, psychological, and forensic care. National number: 0800 98 100.

1712 - free and confidential helpline in Flanders for violence, abuse, and harassment. Phone: 1712.

CAW Limburg - Centrum Algemeen Welzijnswerk offers victim support, practical help, and counseling in Limburg.

Victim Support at the Justitiehuis Limburg - information on your rights, assistance with statements, and guidance through the justice process.

Balie Limburg - local bar association for lawyer referrals and information about legal aid.

Commission for Financial Aid to Victims of Intentional Acts of Violence - state compensation when offenders cannot pay, managed by the Federal Public Service Justice.

Child Focus - hotline for missing and sexually exploited children and support for online harms involving minors. Phone: 116000.

Stop It Now Belgium - confidential support line for people worried about their sexual behavior or thoughts and for relatives seeking help. Phone: 0800 200 50.

Next Steps

- Prioritize safety. If you are in danger, call 112 or 101. Consider a safe place to stay and a safety plan.

- Seek medical and psychological care. Contact the Sexual Assault Care Center as soon as possible for treatment, prophylaxis, and optional forensic evidence collection.

- Preserve evidence. Avoid washing or changing clothes if you want forensic collection. Save messages, images, and device data. Take screenshots with visible dates and usernames.

- Get legal advice early. Contact a lawyer experienced in sexual offense cases in Hasselt. Ask about confidentiality, reporting options, protective measures, and compensation.

- Consider your reporting options. You can file a police complaint now or later. You can register as an injured party and, with a lawyer, consider becoming a civil party to claim damages.

- Use support services. Victim support can attend interviews with you, help with legal aid applications, and coordinate practical assistance such as housing, work or school measures, and mental health support.

- Keep a timeline and records. Note dates, places, potential witnesses, and any impact on your health or finances. This helps your medical care and your legal case.

- Ask about privacy protections. Your lawyer can request closed hearings, anonymity protections where available, and tailored no-contact conditions.

- Check deadlines. Limitation periods and compensation applications have time limits. A lawyer can confirm what applies to your situation.

- Follow up. Stay in contact with your lawyer and support workers, attend appointments, and update them about any new safety issues or evidence.