Belgium

Safe Harbor

Organisation/Third party
CAW De Kempen

Grant amount
24.000 EUR

Website
https://CAW.be

Country
Belgium

Title of the project
Safe Harbor

Project duration
10 months

Target Groups
The project focuses on families (victim, perpetrator, children) who are confronted with intra-family violence and who reside in the administrative district of Turnhout. There is a necessity for physical distance to ensure safety.

Besides the need for physical distance, integrated support provided by the Public Centre for Social Welfare (OCMW) and the Centre for General Welfare Work (CAW) adds value in supporting safety. In the project, we focus on clients who, due to a certain level of self-sufficiency, can live independently. The CAW will initiate ambulatory intra-family violence support.

Project summary
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.
 
Project 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.

Qualitative results

• Collaboration with a Hotel accommodation
• Developing Family Support
• Regional Rollout

Quantative results

• 25 victims, registered with the IPV, are referred to a shelter or secure accommodation (residential guidance).