Saint-gilles schools address incest with new protocol
Summary and headline written by AI from the source article. How we work
The municipality of Saint-Gilles, a Brussels commune in Belgium, implemented a new protocol called “Je te crois” (“I believe you”) in its schools this academic year.
Following an incident where school staff contacted a father after a child disclosed information, and the situation was not taken seriously, officials began developing a system to better support children who report sexual abuse within their families. A working group including school administrators, the Centre de prise en charge des violences sexuelles (CPVS.
Centre for the care of sexual violence), police, and prevention organizations designed the protocol. The “Je te crois” protocol aims to ensure children feel heard and safe when disclosing abuse. Catherine François, the commune’s education official, explained that schools are often the first place children connect with trusted adults outside their families, making them crucial spaces for recognizing and responding to these issues.
The protocol includes preventative education for students, starting in primary school, and training for school staff on how to handle disclosures. Saint-Gilles officials responded to statistics showing that one in ten Belgians experienced sexual abuse by a relative during childhood, meaning approximately two students per classroom may have experienced this trauma. When a child expresses distress or a desire to stay with a teacher, the protocol instructs staff to listen for underlying secrets.
The program prioritizes protecting the child and providing appropriate support, as studies show nearly half of children who report abuse do not receive adequate care. Saint-Gilles hopes other municipalities will adopt similar policies to create safe environments for students.
