103 new reports of abuse by clergymen

So far, 53 of the 103 case files have been forwarded on to the local judicial authorities.

11 case files have been sent to the judicial authorities in Leuven (Flemish Brabant), 5 to Hasselt (Limburg) and Ghent (East Flanders), 4 to Dendermonde (East Flanders) and 3 to Antwerp and Kortrijk (West Flanders).

In an interview with the daily ‘Gazet van Antwerpen’, Lieve Pellemans of the federal judicial authorities says that many of the reports of abuse happened too long ago for a prosecution to be brought.

Ms Pellemans added that "Most of the victims aren’t seeking revenge; they just want recognition of what has been done to them.”

“The oldest victim is 82, the youngest is 23.”

“76% of the victims are male, their average age is 49.”

“In half of the cases the identity of the abuser is known.”

“28% of the abusers that have been identified are still alive.”

The federal judicial authorities also received 13 reports of abuse from the Adriaenssens Commission on sexual abuse within the Church.

These will also be passed on to the various local judicial authorities.