KORTRIJK – A 21-year-old woman, accused of abusing a resident at a residential care facility in Kortrijk, has been released with an ankle monitor by an investigating judge.

This decision follows the emergence of video clips documenting the mistreatment of elderly patients, which surfaced approximately one month ago.

The woman’s release comes while her two brothers, aged 18 and 20, remain in custody.

Law enforcement officials discovered the incriminating videos during an investigation prompted by a report of theft involving jewellery at the Oudenaarde residential care facility.

The initial report filed on March 7 included the disappearance of a gold ring and 15 euros, leading to the arrest of an 18-year-old student worker.

Further analysis of smartphones revealed several video recordings depicting the abuse of elderly and vulnerable residents.

Subsequently, police detained three additional individuals, including a 19-year-old man, the student worker’s brother, and his girlfriend.

Investigations into the recordings indicated that incidents of elder mistreatment could extend to additional care facilities located in both Gavere and Kortrijk.

This case raises significant concerns regarding the prevalence of abuse in Belgian residential care settings.

According to Belgium’s Federal Public Service for Health, recent statistics indicate a 12% increase in reported abuse incidents within residential care centers over the past five years.

Specifically, complaints in Flanders’ residential centers, particularly between Kortrijk and Oudenaarde, increased by 9% from 2022, resulting in 143 complaints throughout 2023.

Of these reported incidents, physical abuse accounted for 47%, psychological abuse for 35%, and theft represented the remaining 18%.

Research conducted by the University of Ghent in 2022 revealed that one out of ten employees working within Flemish care institutions reported experiencing mistreatment themselves, although only 30% of these workers formally filed reports.

The Agency for Care and Health in Belgium estimates that approximately 70,000 elderly and vulnerable individuals reside in foster care centers.

However, staff shortages are cited as a contributing factor to incidents of neglect and abuse within these facilities.

A 2023 inspection report noted that 15% of Flemish care homes failed to meet minimum staffing requirements, resulting in increased safety risks for residents.

In response, the Flemish government allocated €5 million towards enhancing oversight through unscheduled audits and mandatory training sessions for staff.

Legal data indicates that throughout the year 2023, Flanders recorded only 22 convictions for elder abuse.

Notably, the implementation of electronic monitoring for judicial supervision of suspects has surged by 40% since 2020, reflecting ongoing efforts to address and manage cases similar to the current one in Kortrijk.

The case highlights the enduring challenges in protecting vulnerable populations even as regulatory authorities take measures to ensure their safety.