University of Gent-Sexual Assault with Ines Keygnaert, PhD

7 June 2019

Our guest lecture today at Gent University was definitely one to remember. Professor Ines Keynegaert PhD gave a very sensitive and thoughtful presentation on sexual harassment and how The European Union is affected by it. We were able to learn statistics of victimization between the EU, hear intense and troubled quotes from survivors, and learn about Belgium’s Model: Sexual Assault Care Center.

My response to this specific subject is very intriguing and I personally am very interested in how victimization and sexual harassment remains a problem not only in the United States but throughout the globe. Sexual harassment is a very sensitive subject to talk about, but I believe that everyone should be aware of how each day the world is influenced by it. 

In this lecture one thing stuck out to me that people tend to forget and that was, “both sexes are at risk of victimization and perpetration.”

One main subject that we discussed about was the Sexual Assault Care Center coordinated by Dr. Keynegaert. This center provides services to victims of sexual violence that allow them to be treated and taken care of properly with having the main focus on them. Services of this care center includes forensic, medical and psychological testing to sexual violence victims. They are also currently launching a chatting systems that allows SV victims to come forward anonymously and talk about their experiences. 

Overall, this lecture was very eye-opening and allowed us to all take a second and think about how sexual violence around the globe should be more recognized.

• ToniAnne Gray