An 11-year-old girl who was admitted to hospital because she could not be placed in the youth care network has been raped, the Brussels public prosecutor’s office reports. It describes the situation as “institutional abuse” and “culpable negligence”.
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11-year-old girl raped after being placed in hospital due to shortage of care places
Sally Tipper
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Vulnerable children frequently have to be placed in hospitals because there is no room in youth care institutions. The 11-year-old had already been in a hospital ward for more than a month, which, according to the public prosecutor's office, is inappropriate and cannot provide the support she needs.
“On 2 May 2025, the Brussels public prosecutor’s office was contacted by the local police following the rape of a minor aged just 11 while she was in hospital following a decision by a juvenile court judge,” the office reported.
“The decision to place her in hospital was taken due to a lack of available places in the youth care network and pending a more permanent placement solution,” it said. “The family context in which the child grew up and her suicidal tendencies made a return to her family impossible.’
We consider the situation described to constitute institutional abuse experienced by certain children
A shortage of staff means extremely vulnerable children cannot receive the care and guidance they need. The situation also destabilises the entire paediatric medical chain, resulting in surgical procedures having to be postponed and other children who need medical assistance not being admitted.
“We regret not only that the structural shortage of places in youth care institutions means that the most vulnerable young people cannot be adequately cared for within a reasonable period of time, but also that the lack of investment in the sector may have consequences that go far beyond the cases in question,” the agency added.
“At this point, we consider the situation described to constitute institutional abuse experienced by certain children, abuse that is the subject of a criminal investigation into culpable negligence.”
In 2023, 147 children were admitted to a general hospital because their parents were unable to care for them or their homes were unsafe. The figure includes children of all ages, from babies to adolescents. Some stay in hospital because they need medical care, but most are admitted because there is no place for them in a foster family or youth facility.
Anyone with suicidal thoughts can find support at www.suicide1813.be or by calling 1813. For support in English, contact the Community Help Service on 02 648 40 14.