Eight reported cases of rape a day in Belgium

Belgian police has recorded eight cases of rape and nine of indecent assault a day since 2010, it has been revealed. Federal and regional ministers have announced an update to the National Plan of Action (PAN), which now features about 250 measures. The ‘PAN 2010-2014’ scheme, adopted in November 2010, is the fourth national action plan aimed at tackling violence between partners and other forms of domestic abuse. Its scope now includes forced marriage and female genital mutilation. The plan of action has resulted to a decline in the number of complaints, ministers announced at a press conference. In 2009, the police had registered 44,635 complaints for acts of violence among partners; the figure was down to 41,344 last year. "There was a decline in acts of physical, psychological and  administrative violence," said minister for home affairs and equal opportunities Joëlle Milquet. "But do not forget the ‘black’ figure, that of victims who do not report the crimes committed against them." It is widely thought that more than 90% of sex offenses go unreported. Belgian police recorded 3,053 rapes and 1,384 for indecent assault last year.