On the 10th of May 2005 HRH princess Mathilde paid a workvisit to the confidence center for child abuse in Antwerp.
The princess attended a.o. a team meeting and had a private conversation with a minor who had been victim of sexual violence.
During these moments the emphasis was on the importance for these children to be believed and to get recognition for the abuse they have been through, both by their direct environment as by the abuser, who's often a close family member.
The princess was very impressed by the courage and resilliance that the children and their families show when they are looking for a solution for their problems.
She talked about the necessity of assistance to the families but remarked at the same time that there are difficulties to get people to talk about and recognize their problems, to accept help.
As a thanks for her visit and implication, she received a silver pin that represents a broken figure. It's the logo of all the confidence centers in Flanders and it symbolizes the vulnerability and hurt of the children who are victims of abuse and violence in their family.
With this visit the princess wished to encourage all families who seek help to stop the violence in their midst.
photos : Nicky Cleuren, Kira Haazen
