How to improve the detection of child abuse in Belgium?
Authors: Vinck Imgard , Christiaens Wendy , Jonckheer Pascale , Veereman Geneviève , Kohn Laurence , Dekker Nicole , Peremans Lieve , Offermans Anne-Marie , Burzykowska Ana , Roland Michel 
Published: January 2025

TABLE OF CONTENTS.1 -- 1 BACKGROUND AND PROBLEM DESCRIPTION .7 -- CHILD ABUSE IS A FREQUENT, BUT MOSTLY HIDDEN PROBLEM 7 --  WITH FAR REACHING CONSEQUENCES 7 -- CALLING FOR PREVENTION, DETECTION AND INTERVENTION 8 -- SCOPE OF THE STUDY 8 -- METHODOLOGY 9 -- REPORT STRUCTURE 10 -- 2 DEFINITIONS AND CONCEPTUAL ISSUES REGARDING CHILD ABUSE.11 -- DEFINITIONS 11 -- 2.1.1 WHO 11 -- 2.1.2 Convention on the Rights of the Child 11 -- 2.1.3 Definitions used in youth care 11 -- 2.1.4 Operational definition for police, magistrates and the staff of the secretariat of the Prosecutorsofficices .11 -- 2.1.5 Penal Code .12 -- THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES IN THE STUDY OF CHILD ABUSE .12 -- 2.2.1 Child abuse as a social problem 12 -- 2.2.2 Child abuse as a medical problem 12 -- 2.2.3 Child abuse as a wicked problem 13 -- 3 PARTICULARITIES RELATED TO THE ORGANISATION OF CHILD ABUSE MANAGEMENT IN THE BELGIAN CONTEXT 14 -- THE ORGANISATION OF SERVICES AND ACTORS INVOLVED IN THE MANAGEMENT OF CHILD ABUSE CASES IS ADDRESSED BY COMMUNITY- AND FEDERAL COMPETENCES. 14 -- PHILOSOPHY OF DEJUDICIARISATION AND SUBSIDIARITY 14 -- NO MANDATORY REPORTING.15 -- 4 NO OVERVIEW OF THE SIZE OF THE PROBLEM 19 -- DATA FROM THE BELGIAN HEALTH QUESTIONNAIRE 19 -- DATA FROM THE SURVEY OF THE FLEMISH OFFICE OF THE CHILDREN'S RIGHTS COMMISSIONER ON THE PREVALENCE OF VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN 20 -- DATA FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE 20 -- DATA FROM POLICE 20 -- DATA OF THE SPECIALIZED SERVICES (VKS AND SOS ENFANTS) 21 -- 4.5.1 Number of reported cases of child abuse to specialized centers (SOS Enfants and VKs) 21 -- 4.5.2 Age classes of children .21 -- 4.5.3 What are the most frequently reported/diagnosed problems? 25 -- 5 THE DETERMINANTS OF PROFESSIONALS DECISION-MAKING IN CHILD ABUSE 27 -- INTRODUCTION.27 -- METHODS USED27 -- 5.2.1 Methods used for the narrative literature review 27 -- DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS DECISION-MAKING REGARDING CHILD ABUSE IDENTIFIED FROM THE LITERATURE28 -- 5.3.1 Methodological note30 -- 5.3.2 Factors influencing the detection/recognition/becoming suspicious 30 -- 5.3.3 Determinants of the decision to take action31 -- 5.3.4 Empirical models explaining reporting behaviour 36 -- 5.3.5 Conclusion 39 -- 6 KEYS TO IMPROVE THE DETECTION AND REPORTING OF CHILD ABUSE.39 -- SOLUTION STRATEGIES FROM THE LITERATURE 39 -- 6.1.1 Prevention 39 -- 6.1.2 Mandatory reporting?.42 -- 6.1.3 Supportive tools 42 -- 6.1.4 Training to improve knowledge and skills 43 -- 6.1.5 Collaboration, communication and involvement 43 -- 6.1.6 Counselling and feedback44 -- 7 QUALITATIVE PART45 -- RESEARCH DESIGN AND TECHNIQUE 45 -- 7.1.1 Interviews .45 -- 7.1.2 Interview guide 46 -- 7.1.3 Pretesting .48 -- 7.1.4 Realisation of the interview .48 -- SAMPLING AND RECRUITMENT OF THE RESPONDENTS 48 -- 7.2.1 Sampling 48 -- 7.2.2 Recruitment strategy 50 -- 7.2.3 Recruitment.50 -- ETHICAL APPROVAL 50 -- DATA ANALYSIS 50 -- FINDINGS 50 -- 7.5.1 Aversion to see .51 -- 7.5.2 Barriers in assessing the situation 51 -- 7.5.3 Difficulties in the decision to take action 53 -- 7.5.4 Barriers to collaboration in dealing with child abuse 56 -- 7.5.5 Resistance of the target group hampering professionals assessment and decision-making 75 -- 7.5.6 Typology of involvement in dealing with child abuse.76 -- 7.5.7 Regional specificities in dealing with child abuse 78 -- 7.5.8 Reported solutions from the qualitative research 90 -- 7.5.9 Conclusion: A system approach 95 -- 8 GENERAL CONCLUSION 100 -- FINDINGS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL LITERATURE AND FROM THE BELGIAN CONTEXT CONVERGE TO A LARGE EXTENT.100 -- RATIONALE FOR SELECTED METHODOLOGIES .101 -- REFERENCES 102