NEWS ROUNDUP

This comes after an online campaign was launched to improve safety in the area, in particular in and around the Cinquantenaire Park. The park, which overlooks the European Commission’s Berlaymont headquarters and Council building and is also close to the European parliament, has been the scene of reported recent assaults on women. However, efforts have now been made to step up security in and around the area.

The new measures come as the EU and international community marked International Women’s Day on Monday on March 8. Following an attempted rape in the park recently, a petition was launched in January by a Spanish expatriate, known only as Carla R.

She lodged a report of attempted sexual assault with the police department and later said that while the police knew of problems in the park, they lacked sufficient resources to do combat it. Thousands of people signed her petition and, it is claimed, personal testimonies suggested there had been several recent assaults that had gone unreported.

After pressure from Brussels parliamentarian Carla Dejonghe the Brussels police and local authorities have now agreed to introduce several new security measures, including more police patrols, better lighting and trim back bushes and shrubbery to help reduce the possibility of further attacks in the park. Maps of the park will also be posted at each of its entrances.

Dejonghe told The Parliament Magazine that the petition had shone a spotlight on such problems, adding, “After discovering the official numbers of assaults in and around the Cinquantenaire Park, I realised many incidents went unnoticed. Victims shouldn’t suffer in silence but should be comfortable speaking up.” Dejonghe said the public should not be wary of making a complaint if they are attacked.

The measures were welcomed by two Belgian MEPs. Renew Europe deputy Hilde Vautmans said, “The Cinquantenaire is a fantastic park; a place where there is lots to do and where people of all generations and from all corners of the world meet.” While Saskia Bricmont, of the Greens/EFA group, said, “Sexual assault and harassment in public spaces must become priorities for law enforcement and justice, in the follow-up of complaints, investigations and prosecutions.” She added, “Prevention is also essential, and victims must feel protected; they must be able to lodge a complaint while feeling supported and obtain an appropriate response. The guilt must change sides and it must be clear that there is no impunity for rapists and abusers.”