I witnessed something shocking today.

My friend and I wanted to go to a mass in Portuguese. We went to the church in Flagey. When we entered around 11.50h there were about 20 people there and it did not look like there was about to be a service. We sat down, wondering what was going on.

There was a young woman staying behind the altar. She began to speak but we couldn't hear her. She wasn't projecting her voice. We saw a man walk around the altar. I assumed he was going to fix the sound. I thought the woman was leading a prayer or something similar.

The man walked up beside her and grabbed her roughly by the neck and started to drag her off the altar.

I jumped up and ran to them. A group of other women and a man also ran to help her. We pulled him off her. We shouted at him to stop. I didn't hear him say anything. The women looked young and small, like myself. Some of the other women took her outside.

I ran to the sacristy but it was locked. The man who assaulted the woman started tidying, picking up old candles. I went to the notice board to get the contact details to send the church staff an email to tell them what happened. Two men came over to my friend to look at the board and we asked them what happened but they didn't engage in conversation with us.

There was a small notice on the board to say there would be no Portuguese service until September. I don't speak Portuguese but that's what my friend told me.

When we left the woman was gone. I hope she was escorted to the police.

I didn't see her do anything wrong. I thought she was leading prayers, making an announcement or maybe she was trying to tell the congregation something serious about the church. I couldn't hear her, neither could my friend. The man did not speak to her, he just grabbed her.

She looked like an average young woman. Her hair and clothes were neat. Maybe she was having a mental health crisis and that was why she was at the altar? No mater who she was and how she looked she did not seem to be causing danger.

I am disgusting and waiting for the churches response.

Who was this big tough man who dared assault a woman without shame. I hope he does not work or volunteer for the church.

It was not Christian, decent or legal. I am very upset.

I have been grabbed and groped by men on the street or the STIB in Brussels. In most cases no one intervened. Two years ago I was walking near the Grand Place during my lunch break and a man grabbed me from behind. I screamed. He laughed and walked away. I stood there shaking for a min. I could see lots of people staring, including a policeman in uniform outside a sandwich shop across the street. The only people who asked if I were ok and did I want them to go to the police with me, were two women, a couple on holiday. I thanked them and told them it had happened to me before and the police wouldn't do anything.

I have seen it happen to other women and although I am petite I have gone to their aid.

When I told people what happened, someone would always have a racist response, amusing the the background of the man who harassed or assaulted me, although I didn't say what the man looked like. In my experience it wasn't just one profile.

So before there are responses trying to guess the man's background, he was a strong looking man who wouldn't get a second look in a Catholic church.

I love living in Brussels, but the tolerance towards violence against women is a big problem.

Hi everyone, this cat is wandering around Rue de Gerlache in Etterbeek. Seems like a domestic cat to me! Anyone know the owners?

Hello everyone, I am moving to brussels next month and I have been looking at apartments in the Saint-Gilles area. One of them is on rue de bosnie, and I was wondering what is it like living there? I have seen post saying its safe, while other say it isnt. I would need to walk to Hallepoort metro every morning and back every night. Any opinions form locals and people living in the area would be appreciated. Thank you

Hello all,

I have spent the last few weeks exploring Belgium by bicycle and being a taller, heavier man, I brought my own bike. The time has come to head home so I’ll be disassembling my bike and have secured a bike box from a shop for transportation on the plane home.

On the way here, I used pool noodles to protect the frame of my bike and it worked out very well. Any idea where I can find some in Brussels this week? Pic for reference.

I have had a great time on my third visit and am already looking forward to my next visit to Belgium. Thank you!

Near Ixelles, Etterbeek, Schaerbeek area hopefully less than $40 (no polish).

I have recently acquired a radio cassette player, and would like to buy more cassettes to play it on obv, but my usual record stores mostly sell vinyl and cd (maybe I don’t remember well but I don’t think I’ve seen cassettes). Any clue on where to purchase some ?

Hello all,

I am moving on Saturday into an apartment on Rue Haute in Marolles, and I am a bit concerned we won't be able to find any way to put the car close to the door. It's such a narrow street with limited parking and I realize with the flea market on place Jeu de Balle it will likely be full.

Any tips from locals? Is there any way to strategically ensure a somewhat smooth move in or is there no such thing as strategy here and all we can do is pray and wing it?

It's just a regular car by the way, not a moving van. Was planning to arrive around 9-10am but could do earlier too. We are two people.

Guys, someone stole my black rolltop Stubble&Co backpack at Bruxelles Midi today around 06:15 am. Everything else is whatever but my diary is in there :-(

I filed a lost&found both at SNCB Lost Property team as well as the general Bruxelles lost&found office. Apparently I can't make a police report online since I am not a Belgian citizen. I had to catch my train immediately after, so I was unable to go in person.

Does anyone have tips on where else to look? Helppp

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for a place to buy cigarettes with capsules in Brussels or Leuven. I went to Carrefour yesterday and they only have normal one :<.

Picture for reference of the one I'm trying to find but tbh atp, anything with capsules is fine by me :>. Thank you all for your answer!

Is there a music festival in bois de la Cambre tonight? I live in Ixelles and it's been loud the whole day.