Ines Keygnaert is Assistant Professor in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Operational Director of the International Centre for Reproductive Health at the Department of Public Health and Primary Care of the Ghent University in Belgium. She is also the Team Leader of the "Gender & Violence" Team, coordinating the research line on violence prevention & response, sexual and reproductive health rights' violations, and on gender and sexual health promotion in hard to reach, vulnerable and minority groups.
Prof Keygnaert recently coordinated the European study on inclusive care for migrant victims of sexual violence (INHeRE), the first gender- and age-sensitive sexual violence prevalence study in Belgium (UN-MENAMAIS), the “Relationships, Stress and Aggression in times of Covid-19” study. On behalf of the Belgian government, Ines developed, piloted and evaluated the first three Belgian Sexual Assault Care Centres. She is also founding member of the Academic Network for Research on Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights Policy (ANSER), the Centre for Social Studies on Migration and Refugees (CESSMIR), the Human Rights Research Network (HRRN) and member of the different other commissions on a.o. diversity, respectful behavior, human rights and scholars at risk.
Ines is involved in a myriad of (inter)national research projects on holistic care for victims of violence, on sexual and gender-based violence prevention and response, on migrant health and acceptability of care in vulnerable groups. She developed clinical guidelines, violence prevention tools and training programs for many different settings and regularly provides consultancies for UN organisations and several governments.
In 2020 she was granted the “Lucien De Coninck”-award for her outstanding research with high humanistic value and societal engagement. In 2021 she received the “Marie Popelin” award for her research on sexual and gender-based violence with extraordinary contribution to gender equity and women rights.
Projects of Ines
CHILD project : Towards a CHILD-friendly Legal Order for Fair Justice Provision
When minors become victims of violence and enter the justice system, their best interests must be the top priority, with a child-sensitive approach at the core of all actions.
Project ongoing Read more about this project Migrant health Sexual health and wellbeing
Sexuality in transit zones: sexual health of migrant men and young people in transit zones in Belgium and France
In 2022, more than 45 000 migrants, of which the vast majority are single men, succeeded to reach the United Kingdom (UK) by crossing the perilous English Channel.
Project ongoing Read more about this project Interpersonal violence Gender Migrant health
Gender sensitivity in credibility assessments of asylum applications based on sexual and gender-based violence
This research will analyse gender sensitivities in credibility assessments of asylum applications based on sexual or gender-based violence.
Project ongoing Read more about this project Interpersonal violence Sexual health and wellbeing
Towards a better support after sexual violence for victims with a disability living in residential care
Persons with disabilities have a higher risk of sexual victimisation than those without disabilities.
Project ongoing Read more about this project Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Interpersonal violence
Operation Alert
"Operation Alert": This support program is designed for healthcare providers and support staff in Belgian hospitals.
Project ongoing Read more about this project Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Interpersonal violence Gender
Domestic Violence, Sexual Violence and Female Genital Mutilation Support Program
Project ongoing Read more about this project Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) Cervical cancer and HPV
ELEVATE: EarLy dEtection of cerVical cAncer in hard-to-reach populations of women through portable and point-of-care HPV TEsting
The ELEVATE consortium wants to empower women to screen for their cervical cancer risk in any setting while guaranteeing rapid and easy-to-understand results
Project ongoing Read more about this project Interpersonal violence Gender
Exploration and development of a violence reporting code
Project ongoing Read more about this project Interpersonal violence Sexual health and wellbeing
Training general practitioners in addressing domestic and sexual violence in primary care
Sexual and intrafamilial violence are a major public health problem worldwide.
Project ongoing Read more about this project Interpersonal violence Sexual health and wellbeing
Implementation of a practical guideline for general practitioners in addressing domestic and sexual violence in primary care
Sexual and intrafamilial violence are a major public health problem worldwide.
Project ongoing Read more about this project Gender Sexual health and wellbeing
Gender sensitive primary care in Flanders
Domus Medica wants to sensitize, inform and educate general practitioners to provide gender-sensitive, holistic and person-centred care with specific attention to the LGBTQI+ group
Project ongoing Read more about this project Interpersonal violence Sexual health and wellbeing
Disability and sexual violence
The research project, titled ‘Disability and Sexual Violence’, was commissioned by the Flemish Government - Agency for Internal Affairs - Department of Equal Opportunities, Integration & Immigration - Equal Opportunities Team, to investigate the prevalence of sexual violence among individuals with disabilities in Belgium.
Project closed Read more about this project Interpersonal violence Sexual health and wellbeing
Training on sexual violence for employees and partners of the Family Justice Centers and the Chain Approach to Domestic Violence
Project closed Read more about this project Interpersonal violence Reproductive rights
Evaluation of the existing assistance landscape for perpetrators and potential perpetrators of sexual violence
Sexual violence is an important social problem that affects public health and well-being. Recent research in the Belgian population showed that all genders and all age groups are vulnerable to sexual violence.
Project closed Read more about this project Interpersonal violence Gender Sexual health and wellbeing
The role and needs of general practitioners in counselling victims of domestic and sexual violence in primary care in Belgium
Sexual and intrafamilial violence are a major public health problem worldwide.
Project closed Read more about this project Interpersonal violence
The Belgian Sexual Assault Care Centres: from piloting to evaluation
Subsequent to ICRH’s feasibility study on the development and validation of a model of holistic care for victims of sexual violence in Belgium, the Federal State Secretary of Equality assigned ICRH to pilot and evaluate Sexual Assault Care Centres (SACC) in Ghent, Brussels and Liège.
Project closed Read more about this project Interpersonal violence Sexual health and wellbeing
Online opleiding rond seksueel geweld voor justitie-assistenten binnen Slachtofferonthaal
Project closed Read more about this project Interpersonal violence Sexual health and wellbeing
Online opleiding rond seksueel geweld voor advocatuur/Juridische eerstelijnsbijstand
Project closed Read more about this project Interpersonal violence Sexual health and wellbeing
Online opleiding rond seksueel geweld voor zorgverleners binnen ziekenhuizen
Project closed Read more about this project
ENABEL & LUXDEV SEA
The Belgian development cooperation Enabel and the one of Luxemburg LuxDev aim to prevent and respond to sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) and have appointed focal points to implement these SEA policies in each of their partner countries. In order to guide the agencies in their development and implementation of SEA policies as well as to train their focal points well in acting as professional persons of trust that can adequately welcome and accompany victims of SEA.
Project ongoing Read more about this project
Inclusive Holistic Care for Migrant victims of sexual violence (INHeRE)
Migrants, Applicants of International Protection and Refugees (MAR) are at high risk of sexual victimization (SV) at all stages of their migration trajectory. An integrated holistic approach from detection to follow-up has been recognized as the best care for all victims of SV.
Project closed Read more about this project Interpersonal violence
Chatline for victims of sexual violence and their support figures: development and pilot study
This project aims to make aid as accessible as possible to victims of sexual violence and their support figures. In a first phase the feasibility of a phone- and chatline was researched and a model was developed. Subsequently, the piloting of the chatline model was requested by the Belgian government. The piloting consists of two main parts. The first part holds the launching of a chat service for victims of sexual assault and their support figures. The chat service was launched on April 10th 2019 and aims to bring victims of sexual violence in touch with a SACC or other specialized caregivers.
Project closed Read more about this project Interpersonal violence Epidemiological modeling
Relationships, Stress and Aggression during the COVID-19 crisis in Belgium (RSA)
To contain the COVID-19 pandemic, governments worldwide restricted social and physical contact by issuing lockdown and social-distancing measures. Already a few weeks after the first COVID-19 realted lockdown being issued in Belgium in March 2020, Prof Keygnaert (UGent-ICHR) and Prof Vandeviver (UGent-IRCP) set up a study on Relationships, Stress and Aggression (RSA) in times of COVID-19 crisis in Belgium. This longitudinal self-reporting study was stopped in July 2020 and got lots of attention as it demonstrated high levels of stress, rather unhealthy ways of coping and a lot of domestic violence occurring in Belgian households.
Project ongoing Read more about this project Interpersonal violence Reproductive rights Gender Sexual health and wellbeing
UN-MENAMAIS: Understanding Mechanisms, Nature, Magnitude and Impact of Sexual Violence in Belgium
The UN-MENAMAIS research aims at a better understanding of the mechanisms, nature, magnitude and impact of sexual violence in Belgium.
Project closed Read more about this project HIV & AIDS Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) Adolescent and youth health Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Interpersonal violence Mother and child health Reproductive rights Family planning and contraception Gender Migrant health Policy analysis
Academic network for sexual and reproductive health and rights policy (ANSER)
Ghent University established an Academic Network for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Policy that aims to become a global resource for SRHR policy research, education and service delivery by establishing an international platform for research on SRHR policy related topics; by developing a portfolio of education and training programmes on SRHR policy; and by fostering interaction between SRHR researchers and policy makers.
Project ongoing Read more about this project Interpersonal violence
Access to health care for undocumented migrants in Belgium: SWOT analysis of the procedure of urgent medical aid
This project aimed at providing an in-depth analysis of the current practice of Urgent Medical Aid (UMA) for Undocumented Migrants (UM) in Belgium.
Project closed Read more about this project Interpersonal violence
Feasibility & Desirability study of Sexual Assault Reference Centres in the Province of Eastern Flanders
This small scale study aimed at assessing the desirability and feasibility of applying ‘sexual assault reference centres’ among the hospitals in the Province of Eastern Flanders that dispose of an emergency care unit and the possibility to conduct medical forensic activities. All 14 hospitals that match those inclusion criteria were invited to participate in the study.
Project closed Read more about this project Interpersonal violence
Addressing interpersonal violence in Belgian hospitals
This project aims to sensitize and train health workers in Belgian hospitals in addressing, assisting and referring patients in interpersonal violence situations adequately. However, due to budgetary restrictions, the different project pathways had to be altered offering only advanced trainings and protocol development coaching to hospitals already included in the project in the previous year (2010-2011).
Project closed Read more about this project Interpersonal violence
Seminar ‘Prevention of sexual & Gender-based Violence in the European Reception & Asylum Sector’: 10 September in Brussels
Within the European reception facilities; asylum seekers, unaccompanied minors as well professionals reveal to be vulnerable to sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). Yet, no specific prevention tools, codes of conduct nor standard operating procedures in prevention and response of SGBV in this sector exist.
Project closed Read more about this project Interpersonal violence
Addressing Interpersonal Violence within a Hospital Context
This project aims to sensitize and train health workers in Belgian hospitals in addressing, assisting and referring patients in interpersonal violence situations adequately.
Project closed Read more about this project Adolescent and youth health Interpersonal violence Reproductive rights
Frame of Reference in SGBV Prevention Against and Among Young Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Unaccompanied Minors in the European Reception & Asylum Sector (SENPERFORTO)
Applying a Community Based Participatory Research Approach, Senperforto aims to enhance the prevention of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in the European Reception and Asylum sector by the development of a European Frame of Reference for Prevention of SGBV in this sector. In 2010 we first conducted a Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) Survey on SGBV experience, prevention and response among both professionals and young asylum seeking residents in different reception facilities in each of the 8 partner countries.
Project closed Read more about this project Interpersonal violence
A participatory partnership for prevention of sexual violence against transmigrants in Morocco
Objectives: To research sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) against trans-migrants in Morocco who aimed or are still aiming at moving on to Europe, in a participatory way To raise awareness about SGBV against trans-migrants among different Moroccan and European stakeholders and the prevention needs and possibilities To empower trans-migrants in preventing SGBV
Project closed Read more about this project Interpersonal violence
Hidden Worries
15 women acting as “network seeds” of which are: 3 undocumented migrant, 3 asylum seeking, 3 refugee, 3 migrant and 3 native women are trained on Sexual and Gender-based Violence, the importance and role of networking in prevention and taking photographs An intercultural network of at least 45 women sharing their experience with SGBV and their prevention needs An exhibition with 15 photographs covering the network of each network seed woman A world café with politicians and other stakeholders on SGBV and the prevention of it
Project closed Read more about this project Interpersonal violence Reproductive rights
EN-HERA! The European Network for the Promotion of Sexual and Reproductive Health & Rights of Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Europe & beyond
Objectives To set up a network for the Promotion of the Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights of Refugees and Asylum Seekers among different stakeholders involved in SRH for refugees and asylum seekers To gradually expand the coverage by the network of the EU area to at least 13 EU Member States To develop a framework for the identification of good practices in SRH policy development for refugees and asylum seekers, SRH services for refugees and asylum seekers and participatory approach of SRH of refugees and asylum seekers To set a common research agenda on SRH of refugees and asylum seekers in the EU To organise an international seminar on SRH of refugees and asylum seekers in the EU To publish and disseminate the project results
Project closed Read more about this project Interpersonal violence
Development of a prevention tool to combat violence against refugees in Europe: a participatory approach
Objectives: To research sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) against refugee women and girls in Europe in a participatory way To develop a prevention tool which can be used by refugees, asylum seekers and undocumented migrants in Europe To raise awareness about SGBV against refugees among the general European public To empower refugee women and girls and to involve men equally
Project closed Read more about this project Adolescent and youth health Interpersonal violence Sexual health and wellbeing Monitoring and evaluation Screening and detection
International Implementation of the Sensoa Flag System
The Sensoa Flag System is a method developed in Flanders for professionals working with children, adolescents, and adults to make sexual (transgressive) behavior discussable, assess it correctly, and respond appropriately.
Project ongoing Read more about this project