Father from Écaussinnes tried for rape of his daughter: "credible does not mean true"
A father from Écaussinnes is being tried at the Mons correctional tribunal for rape of his daughter. The child psychiatrist reminds the court that credible testimony does not equate to proof.
Trial in Mons: father suspected of rape of his daughter, child psychiatrist nuances the weight of testimony
A father from Écaussinnes is appearing before the Mons correctional tribunal, suspected of having raped his daughter when she was still a young child. The case, reported by DHnet, rests on a body of medical evidence and statements from the child — but also on uncertainties that the expert mandated by the tribunal emphasised strongly.
At the origin of the prosecution: the discovery of a sexually transmitted infection in the girl in December 2021, the father being a carrier of the same infection. For the medical experts, such contamination involves sexual contact.
November 2021: the first signs
The facts date back to November 2021. One evening, the father sends the mother a photograph showing traces of blood on their daughter's underwear, claiming not to know the origin. A paediatrician consulted the next day mentions a urinary tract infection and prescribes antibiotics.
The bleeding reappears on 25 November. On 1 December, the mother collects the child and consults her doctor. On 6 December, tests confirm the presence of a sexually transmitted infection. Four days later, the father learns that he is a carrier of the same infection — which places him at the centre of suspicion.
The girl's statements
The girl was heard on two occasions. During the first hearing, she revealed nothing. During the second, she described gestures her father allegedly made on her vulva, using precise anatomical vocabulary that intrigued investigators. The mother, who works in the medical field, indicated that she herself had taught the child these exact terms.
The prosecution also notes confidences the father allegedly made to a friend between 6 and 10 December, in which he mentioned a possible accidental contamination. The defence contests the experts' conclusions and insists on the gaps and unclear areas in the case file.
"Credible does not mean true"
Before ruling, the tribunal heard the child psychiatrist who met with the child. Her intervention proved central to the proceedings, given that the credibility of the girl's statements constitutes a major issue in this trial.
The expert reminded the court of a fundamental distinction: "Credible does not mean true." A narrative may present all the characteristics of credible testimony without this allowing us to assert with certainty that the facts reported actually occurred.
She also noted the evolution of the child's statements over time. "The more she is heard, the more it becomes blurred. Over four years, the child changes. There are outside elements. Perhaps fatigue as well. This little girl is very much in avoidance," she explained. The child psychiatrist further noted that the girl did not mention certain specific details nonetheless reported by her mother.
These observations do not allow us to assert that the child is lying or that the facts are imaginary. However, they recall that the credibility of a testimony is not in itself proof of guilt.
The tribunal will rule on 16 November
The father, who contests the accusations, faces up to five years' imprisonment. The case will be debated again on 16 November. Pending the judgment, the presumption of innocence remains entire.
Source: DHnet