Charlotte Rousseau

It is a physically and mentally tiring job, but incredibly rewarding. Each person I meet, each story, systematically brings me back to the human in the patient, to the inhumanity of the world, and the humanity of some of us who have made the choice to help others.

“I work as a gynaecologist at the Centre for the Management of Sexual Violence, at Saint Pierre Hospital in Brussels. CMSV specialises in the reception and management of victims of sexual violence. This care concerns any person, whatever their age, sex, gender, origin or legal status.”

“Sexual violence is a real international scourge, and migrants and refugees are particularly exposed to it on their journeys. They are a vulnerable group, who often get referred to us by other public services in Belgium. Our aim is to welcome them in a caring environment, to allow them to share their story, to offer them medical and psychological care and to allow them to submit complaints if they need to, while taking into account their culture, their needs and their own priorities.”

“It is a physically and mentally tiring job, but incredibly rewarding. Each person I meet, each story, systematically brings me back to the human in the patient, to the inhumanity of the world, and the humanity of some of us who have made the choice to help others. It also reminds me of my privileged place in this difficult world.”

Charlotte Rousseau shares her accounts as a physician and her contribution to helping women suffering from sexual violence internationally.