Accompanying services for victims of domestic violence

Domestic violence is a pervasive issue that impacts countless lives, often leaving victims isolated, vulnerable, and unsure where to turn. While emergency shelters and crisis interventions are crucial, long-term recovery and empowerment require more than just a safe place to stay. Across Brussels and Wallonia, we found several dedicated associations that offer holistic, trauma-informed support—helping survivors rebuild their confidence, their autonomy, and their lives.

The following associations go beyond immediate aid, providing everything from therapeutic bodywork to feminist self-defense, legal guidance, and systemic advocacy—creating essential pathways from survival to healing.

Maison Médicale du Maelbeek :

Located in Brussels, it offers a range of activities to support victims of domestic violence beyond immediate medical care. These activities are rooted in a holistic, multidisciplinary approach, combining medical, psychological, and social support. Victims are provided with access to general practitioners, psychologists, and social workers who collaborate closely to ensure continuity and safety in care. The center emphasizes trust-building and confidentiality, offering personalized follow-ups that may include mental health counseling, medical examinations, and assistance with legal procedures or emergency housing referrals.

In addition to individual support, the Maison Médicale du Maelbeek often partners with local associations and shelters to provide community-based resources. It organizes awareness-raising activities, group workshops, and information sessions aimed at empowering victims and reducing isolation. These efforts help victims understand their rights, build resilience, and connect with networks that foster recovery and autonomy.

Contact: https://www.maelbeek.be/

L’asbl DANA:

Founded in 1990 and composed of around 18 volunteer members, offers specialized support to victims of violence, with a particular focus on bodily and emotional care. It organizes massage-relaxation workshops specifically for victims who need this kind of support but lack the financial or social means to access it. These sessions, held in shelters or consultation offices, aim to rebuild a trusting relationship with one’s own body, often damaged by the experience of violence. Through kind and respectful touch, these sessions provide relaxation and a sense of well-being, while also equipping participants with practical tools to promote long-term personal healing and self-care in daily life.

DANA’s support goes beyond individual sessions: the association works in close collaboration with the teams at the Center for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence (CPVCF), regularly organizing joint meetings and professional intervision sessions. This allows coordinated efforts among various service providers and complements the psychological, legal, and social support already in place.

Contact: call at +32 (0)10 86 19 74 

Association Garance:

It offers two main support activities:

1. Feminist self-defense and verbal defense workshops Garance organizes regular group sessions in feminist self-defense and verbal defense, aimed at empowering participants—women (cis and trans) and non-binary individuals—to develop confidence, assert their boundaries, and respond safely in threatening situations. These accessible workshops, which require no athletic skill, are designed with a participatory approach to bolster autonomy. They are adapted to specific groups, such as adolescent girls, older women (55+), women with disabilities, and racialized individuals or migrants, with recurring monthly training opportunities in shelters, schools, and community settings.

2. Tailored prevention, peer support & professional training Beyond physical self-defense, Garance carries out primary prevention initiatives: it conducts research and publishes educational material (e.g., the “Échappez belle!” project), and provides peer-led reflection groups that address safety, power dynamics, and self-esteem garance.be. The organization also offers professional training sessions for those working in schools, shelters, or at risk in the workplace—helping them recognize, prevent, and respond to violence. Additionally, Garance implements specialized workshops such as “Living in safety” for adults with intellectual disabilities, trains peer facilitators from vulnerable groups, and supports inclusive activities embedded within community networks .

Contact: https://www.garance.be/

L’A.M.A (Association des Maisons d'Accueil):

AMA brings together all the shelters in Brussels and most of those in Wallonia. It has been coordinating over 100 member organizations in Brussels and Wallonia since 1968. These include shelters specifically dedicated to victims of domestic and family violence. While AMA itself does not offer direct support services, it plays a strategic role by supporting and professionalizing its member institutions. It helps develop key programs such as post-shelter support, day reception services, home guidance, and mobile outreach teams. Additionally, AMA actively advocates for stronger public policies and increased funding to improve care structures and services (ama.be).

In 2024, AMA conducted an action-research study on violence within homelessness support services in Brussels, aiming to better understand the systemic factors contributing to tensions, aggression, and conflict affecting both users and staff. These findings were shared through public exchanges, themed morning sessions, and training workshops focused on risk prevention and management, addressing complex issues like domestic and family violence. Through these initiatives, AMA enhances the quality and safety of care provided in shelters—both for the victims being housed and for the professionals who support them.

Contact: https://www.ama.be/

All these accompanying activities reveal the diversity of support needed by victims of domestic violence. From physical and psychological healing to skill-building, community integration, and policy advocacy, these organizations understand that recovery is not linear—and that safety is just the first step. Their work highlights the importance of a compassionate, coordinated, and long-term approach that respects each survivor’s pace and needs. As we continue to raise awareness about domestic violence, it's essential to also spotlight and support the people and practices that help survivors reclaim their strength, dignity, and independence. These associations remind us that with the right resources and solidarity, healing is possible—and so is lasting change.

What do you think of these activities?

Do you know other services for accompanying victims in Belgium?

Feel free to reach out and tell us more.

Hugs,

Edith