Rape and the importance of legal representation
As rape attorneys, we have been assisting our clients for more than 20 years.
Rape is the most serious sex crime.
What should be understood by rape in Belgium was often a point of discussion.
Indeed, the question arose whether only an act of penetration with the male genitals should be understood as rape or whether other acts could also be considered as such.
What is meant by rape is found in the new Article 417/11 of the Criminal Code.
“Rape is any alleged act consisting or partly consisting of a sexual penetration of any kind and by any means, committed on a person or with the aid of a person who does not consent to it. This crime is punishable by imprisonment from ten years to fifteen years.”
This means that oral gratification without consent should also be considered rape just as penetration with any part of the body or even with other devices such as a vibrator constitutes rape insofar as the victim does not give valid consent.
Whereas rape was previously punishable by incarceration of five to 10 years, the legislature has increased this to incarceration of 10 to 15 years, which is a significant aggravation.
Moreover, in the presence of aggravating circumstances, the sentence may be increased to a maximum of 30 years of incarceration.
Given these very severe penalties, it is of the utmost importance for the defendant to be assisted by a rape lawyer.
It also goes without saying that rape is a very traumatic experience for a victim.
We assist you from beginning to end and not only in purely legal matters.
Also when you need a listening ear you are more than welcome with us.
We will also gladly guide you in finding all necessary psychological help and assistance.
Our role as rape attorneys therefore goes far beyond the purely legal.
False declaration:
A rape complaint is often a classic means of pressure or blackmail used when one person wants to pressure another.
However, if it turns out that a false report of rape was made, the person who made the false complaint will expose himself to prosecution for defamatory reporting.
Assistance by a lawyer:
Given the seriousness of rape cases as well as the particularly traumatic experience for the victim, it is of utmost importance for both the perpetrator and the victim of a rape case to be assisted by a criminal lawyer with expertise.
Our firm has extensive experience with sex cases in general and rape cases in particular.
