Belgium

Safe Harbor

Country
Belgium

Organization
CAW De Kempen

Website
https://CAW.be/

Duration of the project
10 months

Summary of the project
The project aims to form a bridge between the Public Centers for Social Welfare (OCMW) and CAW De Kempen to respond to situations of intra-family violence by providing the most appropriate support to the victims of intra-family violence (free and accessible shelter) and by anchoring the project permanently (financially) in the administrative district of Turnhout.

The application builds upon a previous project, 'Safe Haven I.' In the context of the COVID-19 measures, additional residential shelter for women and children who are victims of intrafamily violence was funded by the Flemish Region. Due to the regular shelters in all regions being close to or at maximum capacity, temporary additional emergency shelter was created through hotels in Flanders, at secret locations. It was not a replacement but rather a complement to the existing services. While the project funding was temporary, and the need may have been viewed as such by the funder, CAW De Kempen believes it is a good approach that enhances accessibility, places the fleeing individuals and their experiences at the forefront, and is worth implementing in current and future policy. Read more….

Proposed activities

• Increase accessibility to a safe shelter.
• Making the project sustainable in the day-to-day policies and activities of all municipalities in the Turnhout district.
• Collaborations with partners.
• Communication.
• Sheltering and supporting victims of intra-family violence.
• Analytical activities.
• Expanding the network.
• Development of a review report.