The award-winning project that provides free transport services to victims of sexual violence to the Care Centre for Sexual Violence (ZSG) has been expanded to the Brussels-Capital Region, the Montgomery police zone (Etterbeek, Woluwe-Saint-Pierre and Woluwe-Saint-Lambert) announced on Monday.
Under the 'Bel Alice' (Call Alice) project, a trained operator is available 24/7 at 02 349 44 22 to listen and explain options available to victims. A secured taxi, driven by people trained in supporting victims of sexual violence, can then be dispatched to pick up victims.
The taxi safely transports the victim to the door of the ZSG, where a specialised team immediately provides medical and psychological support. Victims are under no obligation to file a complaint.
Image of a visit to the Brussels Sexual Violence Support Centre in 2021. Credit: Belga/Stephanie Linsingh
Since 2023, Montgomery police zone has been collaborating with the General Student Council of UC Louvain in Woluwe (AGW) and the group Taxis Verts on the project.
The initiative won the Public Prize and the Prix du Québec from the Réseau Intersection in 2024, recognising best police practices in combating sexual violence, according to the local police zone.
The aim now is to strengthen 'Bel Alice' across the entire region to offer citizens concrete and accessible solutions to fight sexual violence and improve care for victims.
The project has been regionalised throughout the Brussels agglomeration in collaboration with the five other Brussels police zones and various associations and entities such as Lawyer Victims Assistance, SOS Viol, and Brusselsbynight, Montgomery police added.
Only 55% file a complaint
The need for such a project is evident from the available statistics on sexual violence, noted the police zone. In a context where sexual violence remains significantly underreported, ZSG statistics in Brussels show an increase in the number of reports. In 2024, 1,033 victims were assisted, a 7% increase from 2023.
Of these, 714 were adults and 319 minors, confirming an upward trend in reports of violence among young people. However, only 55% of victims at the ZSG filed a complaint, indicating a significant grey area in the numbers.
The figures highlight the need to better inform the population about existing support mechanisms and to encourage victims to seek help safely.
