‘Marie Popelin’ prize for Ines Keygnaert
Ines Keygnaert received the prestigious Marie Popelin Prize for her exceptional contribution to scientific research on sexual violence and for the translation of her research into care models and policy measures. The Marie Popelin Prize is awarded every five years...
Ines Keygnaert is professor of Sexual and Reproductive Health at ICRH Belgium and at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences of Ghent University. She leads the Gender & Violence team and coordinates the research on sexual violence and the violation of sexual and reproductive health rights. She also focuses on gender and sexual health promotion in hard-to-reach, vulnerable and/or minoritized groups.
Based on her research and interviews of 1001 victims, the care and assistance provided to Belgian victims has changed dramatically. There has been a shift from of a purely forensic approach ('the body as a crime scene') towards a patient-oriented and holistic approach. Currently there are Sexual Assault Care Centers in Brussels, Ghent, Liège, Antwerp and Charleroi, but the aim is to have one in every judicial district by 2023.
Picture © Wouter Van Vaerenbergh
