Skip to content

News

Domestic violence: the Flemish approach

This article is written by Sabrina Reggers, Coordinator Family Justice Center Limburg
Houses of Justice, Department of Welfare, Public Health & Family, Flemish Government

People all around the world share the same three core values; family, safety and health. All of which are endangered by domestic violence. Domestic violence is the most common form of violence in our society. Over a quarter of the population has been subjected to violence at one point or another at the hands of a parent, partner or housemate. It constitutes a major problem, in terms of scope and severity.

If we want to stop this violence, the entire family must receive the necessary attention and care. The best way to do this is to develop an approach that is as consistent and coordinated as possible. The primary goals should be to stop the violence, decrease the number of risk factors, but also increase the protective factors in families in order to prevent new incidents of violence from occurring. The interventions taken should take place both on an individual and a systemic level.

The casuistry determines the approach

Picture by: Jong, R. de (2014). Presentation ‘Dialoogmoment Brussel’. Eindhoven: Keten&co

It’s impossible to tackle these complex situations by focusing on just one aspect of the problem. It is necessary to effectively collaborate with other agencies, with a joint responsibility and with the same goal in mind in an overall approach. Chain collaboration is therefore the keyword.

A chain approach enables several organisations from different fields of care, safety, law enforcement and administration to collaborate in a multidisciplinary manner to provide clients with customised care. By bundling their ‘need to know’ information, the agencies involved obtain a far more transparent and detailed picture of the situation. Add the collective expertise of various professionals and you often arrive at a far more carefully elaborated and coordinated approach. This ensures clarity and continuity, but also faster action of organisations if required. By working together the different organisations get to know each others way of working, which means double work can be avoided and they get to focus on their core tasks.

Clients are actively involved and are no longer confused by the sometimes contradictory expectations of the services involved. They are assigned a specific case director that provides them with an insight into what is happening with regard to social services and at the judicial level. This case director ensures an open communication between the agencies involved and monitors the situation from an overall point of view.

Good practices in Flanders

 

In every province in Flanders (Belgium) one or more of such chain approaches exist. Professionals from the fields of care, safety, law enforcement and administration can all report high risk cases to the chain approach if they meet the following criteria:

  • Complex situation and/or serious offences that demand a combined and coordinated approach involving care/welfare, police/judicial and administrative services
  • Multiple issues in several areas of life (accommodation, financial situation, psychological /social/ physical functioning,…)
  • Difficult start-up related to social services, criminal measures and/or administrative measures.

Picture by: Jong, R. de (2014). Presentation ‘Dialoogmoment Brussel’. Eindhoven: Keten&co

The following organisations take part in all those chain approaches: the Office of the Public Prosecutor, Police, Houses of Justice, Mental Healthcare agencies, Confidential Center for Child Abuse and Neglect, Youth Welfare, Center for General Welfare, City/Municipality/ etc. The coordination is done by the Houses of Justices of the Department of Welfare, Public Health and Family of the Flemish Government.

Taking the next step

In some regions in Flanders the organisations involved have taken the next step in their multi-agency collaboration. In Antwerp, Limburg, Mechelen and Turnhout they have started their own Family Justice Center. This ‘everything under one roof’ collaboration model has its origin in San Diego, California (USA) and has been spreading all of the world since 2002. In a Family Justice Center a multidisciplinary team works together in one location, with the goal to provide integral care to clients confronted with domestic violence and child abuse. All FJC’s follow the same guiding principles. They focus on safety and are victim-centered. They shape services to clients by asking them what they need and place emphasis on empowerment. They maintain close working relationships among all collaborators/agencies and increase offender accountability through evidence-based prosecution strategies and/or evidence based treatment programs.

Related News

Keep up to date with the latest developments, stories, and updates on probation from across Europe and beyond. Find relevant news and insights shaping the field today.

New

Communication and Awareness-Raising

Call to take part in the Yellow Ribbon Run in Prague

16/04/2026

As part of its ongoing cooperation and support for the Yellow Ribbon project, CEP is pleased to invite nominations to support two participants wishing to join the Yellow Ribbon Run, taking place on Thursday, 11 June 2026, in Prague, Czech Republic. 

Recap

Probation outside Europe

Day 2 of the 7th World Congress on Probation and Parole in Bali, Indonesia.

16/04/2026

 brought further reflection and exchange on the role of probation and community-based approaches in supporting rehabilitation and social inclusion.

CEP President Annie Devos and Vice-President Daniel Danglades continued their daily coverage on Division_Y, sharing key insights from discussions at the Congress.

A central theme highlighted during Day 2 was the importance of focusing on what works in practice, and how effective integration requires active participation in society. As discussed, professional probation practice is not only about systems and structures, but about placing the person at the centre, responding to individual needs, and recognising rehabilitation as a journey within the community.

CEP Vice-President Daniel Danglades also reflected on the role of community-based approaches such as the Japanese Hogoshi system, underlining the value of strong volunteer engagement in supporting reintegration.

The World Congress on Community Volunteers, held as part of the World Congress on Probation and Parole in Bali, was also highlighted during the day, with the session moderated by CEP Vice-President Daniel Danglades. This further underlines CEP’s commitment to strengthening the role of community volunteers at an international level.

CEP continues to follow the Congress closely and will provide daily updates throughout the week until 17 April.

👉 Watch the English-language video here: https://youtu.be/VqfSwnvJQuw

👉 A German-language reflection from Day 2 by Laura Schneider (Bewährungs- und Gerichtshilfe Baden-Württemberg) is also available on the Referat_Y YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/GOSOogfHleo

More information about the Congress: https://www.wcpp2026.id/

Recap

Probation outside Europe

Day 1 of the 7th World Congress on Probation and Parole is underway in Bali, Indonesia

14/04/2026

Representing the Confederation of European Probation CEP, former board member Jo Tein, CEP President Annie Devos and Vice-President Daniel Danglades are on site, sharing insights and reflections from this global gathering of probation and parole professionals.

Recap

Mental Health

Recap: CEP Expert Group on Mental Health in Probation Meets

14/04/2026

On 8–9 April 2026, the Expert Group on Mental Health in Probation convened in Dublin, Ireland, hosted by the Irish Probation Service. The meeting brought together 7 expert members from 7 European jurisdictions, Portugal, Ireland, Türkiye, Germany, Poland, Northern Ireland, England and Spain (Catalonia), alongside distinguished external speakers from international and academic institutions.

Chaired by Ana Cristina Neves, Head of Service at the Directorate-General of Reintegration and Prison Services (DGRSP), Portugal, the meeting provided a focused and collaborative space to reflect on the group’s progress, consolidate key outputs, and define strategic priorities for the upcoming 2026–2028 mandate.

New

Mental Health

Webinar Announcement: Mental Health in Probation

13/04/2026

We are pleased to invite you to an upcoming CEP webinar on 21st of May titled: “The European Mental Health Curriculum for Probation Officers”

New

CEP

CEP annual report

07/04/2026

The Confederation of European Probation (CEP) has published its Annual Report 2025, showcasing a year marked by growth, cooperation, and continued commitment to strengthening probation across Europe.

Bringing together more than 100 member organisations across 42 countries and 59 jurisdictions, CEP continued to serve as a central platform for knowledge exchange, professional development, and collaboration within the European criminal justice field.

Subscribe to our bi-monthly email newsletter!