Brussels, (Unib Rashid): A total of 14,719 child abuse cases were registered in Belgium during 2024, averaging around 40 cases per day, according to figures released in response to a parliamentary question submitted by Sophie De Wit, a member of the New Flemish Alliance (N-VA), to Belgium’s Minister of Justice, Annelies Verlinden. The figures represent an increase of nearly 13 percent compared to 2022.

The justice minister explained that child abuse cases are not recorded as a separate legal category. Instead, the statistics include cases involving violent crimes, deprivation of liberty, and sexual offences in which children are identified as victims. As a result, De Wit argued that the data does not present a complete picture of child abuse, as cases involving psychological abuse, emotional neglect, and child neglect often remain unreported or are not separately documented.

De Wit also criticized the lack of data regarding the judicial handling of these cases. She noted that there are no statistics showing how many reported incidents ultimately lead to prosecution or conviction.

“It is deeply concerning that the justice system cannot tell us how many child abuse cases ultimately result in legal action or the conviction of offenders. We register cases with the police, but once they enter the judicial system, they effectively disappear from view,” she said.

The N-VA lawmaker has urged the Belgian government to introduce a uniform registration system for child abuse cases to improve monitoring and accountability.

In addition, De Wit has introduced a legislative bill that would allow courts to impose a general prohibition on contact with children for offenders considered to be at high risk of reoffending.

“Children have the right to the highest level of protection. We must not only respond swiftly to signs of abuse but also ensure that offenders are prevented from harming victims again,” she emphasized.