Report of the 7th International EFJCA-conference
The European Family Justice Center Alliance (EFJCA), the Union of Women Associations of Heraklion and the Regional Authority of Crete organized on the 6 and 7 October 2025 the 7th international EFJCA-conference dedicated to strengthening multidisciplinary responses to gender-based and domestic violence.
The main topic of the conference was:
From Vision to Implementation
Advancing Gender-Responsive Multidisciplinary Policies
Towards Sustainable Family Justice Centers
The conference brought together professionals and organizations from Greece and across Europe working in the fields of policing, justice, social work, health- care, youth services, NGOs, and government. The focus of the conference was exchange, networking, and learning and the event highlighted models such as the Family Justice Centers (FJCs) and explored how to implement and sustain multidisciplinary approaches.
Special attention was given to the essential role of governments and policymakers in ensuring the long-term sustainability of FJCs and related models. During the conference Greek and international speakers with deep expertise shared good practices and practical insights.
All participants engaged in interactive sessions on key themes critical to building and managing effective multidisciplinary responses. The conference offered also a space for meaningful dialogues and international networking, provided inspiration and concrete tools to strengthen the daily practice of professionals.
Around 150 professionals attended the 2 conference days in person and around 80 attended on-line. All information is also available on the EFJCA website (including the presentations) or visit the website www.efjca.eu and enter the section ‘news’ and click on ‘conferences’.
Report of the conference
The conference can be viewed by the following links:
Day 1 (Monday 06/10)
https://youtube.com/live/V8h9D61p4PA
Day 2 (Tuesday 07/10)
https://youtube.com/live/ZaB8BcJfMgo
Monday 06/10 (PDFs of the presentations of speakers that used a PowerPoint)
Georgia Milaki, Deputy Regional Governor for Culture and Equality Region of Crete
The role of tackling gender-based violence and the role of local authorities
Dries Wyckmans, Policy Advisor 'Veilig Huis' (the Flemish FJC's), Agency for Justice and Enforcement, Flemish Government and Bert Groen, President of the EFJCA
A bird's-eye overview of Family Justice Centers and Multidisciplinary Models
In a fast-paced overview, an exploration how cross-sector collaboration transforms responses to gender-based and domestic violence, and how it unites professionals around a shared mission of safety, empowerment, and lasting change.
Panel Discussion: Advancing Gender-Based Approaches in Multidisciplinary Responses to GBV and DV
The panel explored the critical role of a gender-based approach in addressing gender-based and domestic violence, with insights drawn from international frameworks and monitoring reports. Special attention was given to key lessons from GREVIO evaluations, the EU Directive, and the recent OECD report. The session included time for questions from the audience. The panel was hosted by Melina Daskalakis, lawyer and legal advisor.
Maria Andriana Kostopoulou, GREVIO
Implementing the Istanbul Convention: Gender perspectives and multidisciplinary insights
Marijke Weewauters, Senior advisor on national relations and strategic policy advisor, Institute for the Equality for Women and Men Belgium, and Belgian representative in the COPA, the Council of Europe's monitoring body on the Istanbul Convention.
The New EU Directive: Implications for GBV Policy and the Sustainability of Multidisciplinary
Centers.
Doron Wijker, OECD
How governments are shaping multidisciplinary responses to gender-based and domestic violence?
Experiences of FJCs in Europe: Building, Sustaining, and Centering a multidisciplinary approach
In this session, speakers from several European countries shared how Family Justice Centers and related multidisciplinary models have taken shape in their local and national contexts. Through storytelling and visual impressions, the speakers shared how these centers were built, how they strive for sustainability and how they embedded a strong gender-based approach in their daily work. The speakers reflected on both the opportunities and challenges they face in their regions, offered inspiration and practical insights for professionals across Europe.
Tanya Hoogwerf, FJC Filomena Rotterdam (Netherlands)
Giussy Barbara, FJC Milan (Italy)
Lilith Roggeman, Veilig Huizen Flanders (Belgium)
Violette Perrotte, Re#Start, Maison des Femmes (France)
Jenny Valberg, FJC Bjarkarhlíð Reykjavik (Iceland)
Nicholas Spetsidis, Union of Women Associations Heraklion (UWAH)
The Development of the FJC in Heraklion
Highlights of the process, structure, and key experiences in building a Family Justice Center in the Heraklion: the opportunities this journey has brought, as well as the challenges faced along the way.
James Henderson
From Surviving to Transforming: Understanding Perpetrators and Strengthening System Accountability
James Henderson, epert/trainer at the EFJCA and internationally renowned speaker and author with over thirty years of experience working with perpetrators of domestic violence and system-oriented interventions.
Henderson brought a compelling and deeply personal perspective to the conversation on domestic violence. Drawing from his own experience as a survivor of family violence and his decades of work in offender accountability, probation, and system reform, he explored the complex profiles of perpetrators and the critical need for coordinated, informed responses. This keynote highlighted the responsibility of institutions to not only hold perpetrators accountable but also to ensure safety and justice for victims. With clarity and passion, Henderson challenged professionals to move beyond victim-blaming and center their efforts on systemic change and perpetrator-focused strategies.
Tuesday 07/10 (PDFs of the presentations of speakers that used a PowerPoint)
Valerie Swennen, police detective and liaison officer for the Flemish 'Veilig Huizen'
Walking the Extra Mile for Victims
Valerie highlighed the critical need for a multidisciplinary approach and urges systems to adapt to the needs of victims – not the other way around. She spoke about the profound impact of coercive control and intimate terrorism on both adults and children, and underlined the importance of a truly victim-centered response.
With conviction and compassion, she called on all professionals to go that extra mile – because only then can truly we are ableto make a difference in the lives of those affected.
Berte Van Heemst, Prosecutor at the Public Prosecutor's Office in Rotterdam and Davy Simons, strategic coordinator of the City of Antwerp at the FJC Veilig Huis in Antwerp
Information Sharing in Family Justice Centers and Multidisciplinary Models
Effective information sharing is a cornerstone of successful multidisciplinary collaboration in the response to gender-based and domestic violence. The speakers explored how information sharing is organized within their respective systems, including legal frameworks, protocols, and trust-building between partners.
Nienke Scholten (Belgium)
Risk Assessment and Digital Tools in Practice
How digital platforms support risk assessment and case management in domestic and gender-based violence. Nienke Scholten (Belgium), Strategic Advisor Police, Prosecution and Intersectoral Cooperation of the department gender-based violence at the Flemish government.nThe WIDA-system, a brand-new model designed to improve interagency collaboration in the approach of gender-based violence and domestic violence in Flanders.
Leticia Matarranz (Spain)
VioGén, the Spanish national tool for risk assessment and victim protection
Leticia Matarranz (Spain), inspector of the Spanish national police, head of the VioGén System Service within the Secretariat of State for Security at the Spanish Ministry of the Interior.
Voices in the FJCs and Related Models
Survivors’ voices are essential in shaping effective responses to gender-based and domestic violence. Ingrid Vermeiren en Triene-Mie Lecompte spoke from their lived experiences about what is truly needed to stop the violence and support healing. During the session the Voices Committee of the EFJCA was introdruced, an initiative that centers survivor perspectives in policy, practice, and evaluation. Participants were encouraged to integrate survivor-led structures into their local multidisciplinary work,as a powerful step toward more responsive and impactful services.
Sofia Thanasoula
Trauma-Informed Care and the Pitfall of Victim-Blaming
The principles of trauma-informed care in the context of gender-based and domestic violence. Her speech highlights how professionals can better understand and respond to victims’ needs, while avoiding the common trap of victim-blaming. A powerful call to shift systems and practices toward empathy, safety, and true support.
Panel
Panel with Grevio members Laura Albu (Romania), Pille Tsopp-Pagan (Estonia), Maria-Andriani Kostopoulou (Greece), Copa member Marijke Weewauters (Belgium). Moderator: Pascale Franck (Grevio member and vice-president EFJCA
The Hidden Force for Change: Why the Istanbul Convention Matters here and now Understanding the power of the Council of Europe’s Convention to combat gender-based violence, and how it can guide local action.
Discover how the Istanbul Convention shapes policies, protects victims, and holds govern- ments accountable. Whether you're new to the Convention or already familiar, this session explores its real-life impact – from European frameworks to practical relevance in local communities.