FJC-news
August 8, 2026
In the HOPE section of this website, a video about HOPE has been published. The video is available in English and Dutch.
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June 30, 2026
This autumn, EFJCA will be organising a range of activities for professionals working in the field of domestic and gender-based violence. Confirmed events include a Masterclass, a Webinar and a Cross-Profession Meeting.
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June 30, 2026
From 1 to 5 June 2026, the European Family Justice Center Alliance (EFJCA) visited the four Icelandic Family Justice Centers as part of ourinternational exchange programme focused on strengthening multidisciplinary cooperation and sharing good practices in responding to domestic and gender-based violence. During the week, the EFJCA met with the teams of Bjarkarhlíð (Reykjavík), Sigurhæðir (Selfoss), Suðurhlíð (Reykjanesbær) and Bjarmahlíð (Akureyri).
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Grants 2026: The awarded projects
June 30, 2026
Thanks to EU funding, the EFJCA is proud to award grants to four outstanding projects that promote a multidisciplinary approach to addressing gender-based violence.This year, the awarded projects are based in Hungary, Poland and Belgium. Congratulations to all selected initiatives.
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EFJCA visits La Maison des Femmes in Saint-Denis and La Maison d'Ella in Bordeaux
June 27, 2026
On 18 and 19 June, the EFJCA visited two leading French organisations: La Maison des Femmes in Saint-Denis and La Maison d'Ella in Bordeaux. The exchange visit formed part of the ongoing collaboration between the EFJCA and the Re#Start network under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), through which both organisations support one another by exchanging expertise, knowledge and good practices to strengthen integrated, multidisciplinary responses to violence against women.
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Advocacy to Stop Violence Against Women and Girls (Kavarna, Bulgaria)
June 1, 2026
On 27–28 May 2026, the Community Safety and Mediation Center (CMSC) organised the Aurora Voices Romania-Bulgaria Bilateral Conference in Kavarna, Bulgaria, in partnership with the National Democratic Institute, the Bulgarian Platform of the European Women’s Lobby, ProFem Czech Republic, and the Romanian Women’s Lobby.
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Specialised training session in Bucharest (Romania)
June 1, 2026
On 25–26 May 2026, the Community Safety and Mediation Center (CMSC), together with DGASPC Sector 1, organised a specialised training session in Bucharest as part of the Helena Help Project, bringing together professionals from social services, law enforcement, healthcare, NGOs, and public authorities to strengthen coordinated responses to domestic violence.
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Save the date: EFJCA Conference 2026, Portlaoise (Ireland)
May 8, 2026
The EFJCA and the Laois Domestic Abuse Service are proud to announce, together with very valued local partners, the 8th International EFJCA Conference. The conference will take place on November 30 and December 1, in Portlaoise (Ireland).
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Conference 'Strengthening coordinated responses to domestic violence'
April 24, 2026
Our Moldovan colleagues of the Women’s Law Center organized a specialized training session focused on strengthening collaborative mechanisms for intervention and protection of victims of domestic violence through the One Stop Center / Family Justice Center model. The project is co-funded by the EU.
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Conference Family Justice Centers in Romania
April 23, 2026
From 20 to 22 April, a three-day conference took place in Iași, bringing together a wide range of professionals working on domestic violence. The event was organised by the Community Safety and Mediation Center (CMSC), represented by its Executive President, Laura Albu.
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Project 'Intimate Partner Violence in Pregnancy'
April 21, 2026
The colleagues of FJC Milan and the Italian Focal Point of the EFJCA worked with the EFJCA grant of 2025 on a project about the intimate partner violence during pregnancy. The closing conference of this “Intimate Partner Violence in Pregnancy” project took place on 9 April at the University of Milan.
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EFJCA participates in event 'Blijf Groep' Amsterdam
March 17, 2026
“Do you think a bystander has a responsibility towards a victim of an assault?” On an event organized by the “Blijf Groep” in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, in honor of director Hanneke Bakker, at the moment of her retirement, the EFJCA attended the interesting key-note speech and workshop of the inspiring Jackson Katz.
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March 9, 2026
In early March, the EFJCA was invited to participate as guest speakers at a conference in Tallinn to explain the Family Justice Center model. In addition, a visit was made to the police in Tartu, Estonia's second-largest city.
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Podcast ‘Femicide and violence against women’ (in Dutch)
February 25, 2026
Almost every two weeks, a woman is murdered in Belgium. Most of the time, it happens at home: "In most cases of violence in a relationship, you don't get heavy blows from day one. It often starts with 'love bombing' and the 'Prince on the white horse.' The realization that something is wrong comes later," says criminologist Pascale Franck. At 27, she herself founded a shelter in the mid-90s.
listen to the podcast
Call for grant-proposals 2025 open now
January 26, 2026
In 2026, the European Family Justice Center Alliance (EFJCA) will offer its Privileged FJC Members the opportunity to receive financial support through grants. Deadline for application: 24 March 2026.
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Grants EFJCA 2026: Online information meeting
January 30, 2026
As in last years, with thanks to the support of the EU, the EFJCA will offer its privileged members the opportunity to receive financial support through grants. To learn more about this grant opportunity you can subscribe to our online meeting on 17 February 2026, 15.00-16.00 CEST.
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Visit and Exchange with the Centre National pour victims de violences
January 16, 2026
The EFJCA received a warm welcome during our visit to the CNVV in Luxembourg on 14 January 2026. This recently opened initiative, funded by the Minister for Gender Equality and Diversity in Luxembourg, Yuriko Backes, and organized by the Luxembourg Red Cross, focuses on supporting victims of all forms of violence. Every victim is welcomed without judgment, regardless of gender, age, nationality, or type of violence.
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Meet our new team member: Valerie Swennen
January 14, 2026
We are very happy to introduce you to our new EFJCA team member. Valerie Swennen joins our team from January 2026 on, and will focus on the development of new FJCs and related multidisciplinary centers, support existing centers, offer trainings, supporting the VOICES committee,… You may already know Valerie from earlier trainings, our conferences or other projects, as Valerie engaged some years ago in supporting the work of the EFJCA.
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A word from Bert Groen, the president of the EFJCA
January 14, 2026
The start of this new year gives us the opportunity to both look back and look forward. December 2025 marked the end of our first 4-year European Operating Grant. A grant that gave us the unique opportunity to give our work a huge boost and develop activities to further strengthen the European network, providing support to existing and new FJCs and provide European professionals, policy makers and other stakeholders with the necessary knowledge and tools within the joint approach of gender-based violence and domestic violence.
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Webinar Improving Support for Survivors of Sexual Violence Within Domestic Abuse Services
January 14, 2026
On 24 February 2026 Caroline Crowley, researcher, and Claire Boland, psychotherapist, will present the outcomes of Healing & Hope, an innovative project designed to strengthen specialist responses to sexual violence within the context of domestic and intimate partner abuse. Many women who seek support for domestic violence also experience sexual violence, yet disclosures often remain hidden due to fear, shame, trauma, or the absence of safe and specialised local services.
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Exchange meeting with the colleagues of Loaise, Ireland and Derry, Northern-Ireland
8-9 January 2026
As part of the preparation of the Family Justice Center in Laois, we organised a highly valuable exchange with colleagues from the Laois Domestic Abuse Service, Detectives and Superintendents of the Garda National Protective Services Bureau and the National Domestic Abuse Unit, Laois Gardaí, and the team of the Foyle Family Justice Center.
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December 23, 2023
The EFJCA has published a pocket guide on HOPE. This publication is available in both English and Dutch. It is aimed at a broad audience. A pocket guide for professionals was previously compiled.
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Webinar Improving Support for Survivors of Sexual Violence Within Domestic Abuse Services
NEW DATE: REGISTER WILL SOON OPEN
Caroline Crowley, researcher, will present in this webinar the outcomes of Healing & Hope, an innovative project designed to strengthen specialist responses to sexual violence within the context of domestic and intimate partner abuse. Many women who seek support for domestic violence also experience sexual violence, yet disclosures often remain hidden due to fear, shame, trauma, or the absence of safe and specialised local services.
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Report of the 7th International EFJCA-conference
October 30, 2025
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.
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Webinar ‘The Link Between Domestic Violence & Animal Abuse’
October 14, 2025
Research shows that in households where domestic violence occurs, pets are often also victims of abuse or neglect—and vice versa. Animals can not only be directly abused but also used as a means to manipulate, intimidate, or control victims. This webinar (on December 1, 2025) will focus on the connection between domestic violence and animal abuse and the role of social service professionals.
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In Dialogue with VOICES: Building Stronger FJCs
October 3, 2025
Across Europe, Family Justice Centers and related models are built on strong multidisciplinary collaboration to stop violence in families and relationships. The VOICES – experts by experience who actively help shape the FJCs – play a vital role in this process. During this online Cross-Profession Meeting on Thursday 6 November 2025 we aim to create a genuine exchange between VOICES and professionals.
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Webinar Gender related Cyber Violence
October 1, 2025
Technology offers powerful opportunities to connect, empower and support people, but it can also be misused to cause harm. In the context of gender-based violence, digital tools can facilitate and amplify abuse such as online harassment, non-consensual sharing of intimate images or cyberstalking. This webinar on Wednesday 22 October 2025 (by Ellen De Pauw) examines key challenges and policy responses in Belgium, aimed at strengthening prevention, protection and access to justice.
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September 2, 2025
Registration for the HOOP modules for the fall of 2025 is now open. HOOP is an important source of support for various traumas, long-term stress situations, and burnout. The training courses are offered in Dutch.
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Masterclass James Henderson Rotterdam
July 23, 2025
We invite you on Thursday, October 2, 2025 to Rotterdam (The Netherlands) for an inspiring masterclasses with James Henderson, EFJCA trainer, international speaker, and author with over 30 years of experience in working with perpetrators of gender-based and domestic violence.
more information
Masterclass James Henderson Antwerpen
July 23, 2025
James Henderson will be giving a masterclass in Antwerp (Belgium) on Friday, October 3, 2025. The masterclass is titled "A Multidisciplinary Approach to Domestic and Gender-Based Violence." During the session, Henderson will focus on domestic violence, behavior change, and systemic action.
more information
Clare's Law: study visit to Police of Kent
July 7-10, 2025
The colleagues of Rotterdam (FJC Filomena, Ombudsman, council of Rotterdam, youth protection, police of Rotterdam) organized a exchange and study visit to Police of Kent, to study the possible implementation in Rotterdam/The Netherlands. The EFJCA took part with a focus on the work on preventing femicides and the exchange through Europe of good practices in prevention of (fatal and non-fatal) gender related and domestic abuse.
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Consultation with CSO's on the Post-2025 Gender Equality Strategy
July 4, 2025
The Unit Gender Equality of the European Commission, Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers organized a consultation for the framework partners on 4th of July in Brussels, the EFJCA took part on this consultation and discussion rounds.
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Family Justice Center Bonaire training
July 1, 2025
At the end of June, the EFJCA visited Aruba for a number of training sessions. Tanya Hoogwerf of FJC Filomena, Rotterdam, joined the EFJCA as trainer and advisor.
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Training for the Family Justice Center Aruba
July 1, 2025
The EFJCA was recently in Aruba to provide training for the Family Justice Center Aruba. On 18 June, the building and set-up locally was discussed, with police, forensic physician and coordinator of FJC Aruba. On Thursday 19 and Friday 20 June 2025, four sessions were held.
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7th International EFJCA Conference
July 1, 2025
The EFJCA and the Union of Women Associations of Heraklion warmly invite you to join us for the 7th International EFJCA Conference, taking place on October 6 and 7 2025 in the beautiful city of Heraklion, Crete. This year’s theme, "From Vision to Implementation: Advancing Gender-Responsive Multidisciplinary Policies Towards Sustainable Family Justice Centers," brings together professionals, policymakers and advocates from across Europe to reflect on the growth and future of Family Justice Centers (FJCs).
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EFJCA at Police Network Conference 2025
June 12, 2025
For the third consecutive year, the Council of Europe Police Network met in Strasbourg. The EFJCA took part in the conference with a speech on "The Eight Steps to femicides - What are the high-risk factors?" and "Non-fatal strangulation: recognising the signs".
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Awareness videos on coercive control in French and Dutch
June 11, 2025
The Belgian Institute for the Equality of Women and Men has released a series of powerful awareness videos on coercive control in the context of intimate partner violence. The videos are available in French and Dutch.
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Exchange good-practices and knowledge Belgium
June 3, 2025
The EFJCA organized an exchange meeting with the multidiscplinary centers of the French-speaking part of Belgium (Divico and partners). The meeting focussed on the development of multidisciplinary centers and FJCs, the role of the stakeholders, the sustainability of these developments, the risk-assessment tools and prepared further working together and training.
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Presentation webinar 'Shedding Light on Elder Abuse'
May 28, 2025
Elder abuse remains a widespread yet often hidden issue, surrounded by silence and under-addressed across society. This webinar aims to break the taboo, raise awareness, and call for greater public and professional engagement.
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Grants 2025: The awarded projects
May 27, 2025
The EFJCA is proud to announce the 4 projects awarded for 2025 within the EU program financial support to members of our network. The grants will support the (further) development of new and existing FJCs and related multidisciplinary models and improve their work towards a victim/survivor-centered and trauma-informed approach and create pathways of hope and empowerment.
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Invisible scars: when falling in love gets you killed
May 19, 2025
EFJCA - Voices: the impact of intimate terror and the often (still) not recognized steps to femicide (video in Dutch with English subtitling).
watch video
Webinar: Shedding Light on Elder Abuse
April 30, 2025
The EFJCA is organising a webinar on 28 May 2025. In this webinar Kasia Uzieblo and Lily De Clercq will explore the definitions and forms of elder abuse, present recent prevalence data from Flanders, and highlight the complex dynamics involved.
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7th International EFJCA Conference and Network Meeting
Save the Date
The EFJCA is thrilled to announce the 7th International EFJCA Conference and Network Meeting, scheduled to take place in the historic city of Heraklion, Greece, on 6 and 7 October 2025. This year's conference theme: "From Vision to Implementation: Advancing Gender-Responsive Multidisciplinary Policies Towards Sustainable Family Justice Centers”. Registration will open soon. Stay tuned for more details on our website and newsflash.
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Webinar: The STOP-FEMINICIDE law A Belgian initiative
March 17, 2025
The EFJCA is organising a webinar on 2 April 2025. This webinar is entirely dedicated to The STOP-FEMINICIDE law. This Belgian initiative will be explained during the webinar by staff from the Belgian Institute for the Equality of Women and Men.
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Grant by EFJCA: Possible to apply until 24 of March
March 17, 2025
Also in 2025 and thanks to the support of the EU, the EFJCA can offer the opportunity to receive financial support through grants. The deadline for application is 24 March 2025.
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Support by EFJCA for applicants CERV CALL
March 17, 2025
The Call for proposals to prevent and combat gender-based violence and violence against children of the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Value Programme of the European Commission (CERV-Daphne 2025), under Priority 2, gives the opportunity to “support the setting up/some activities of one-stop shop (in person and/or online) or coordinated specialist support centres, so that the multiple support needs of victims of gender-based violence (including cyberviolence) are addressed at the same premises to the largest extent or provided in a coordinated manner.
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REGISTER: Online meeting for Grant-applicants
February 3, 2025
The EFJCA will offer its privileged members in 2025 the opportunity to receive financial support through grants. To learn more about this grant opportunity you can subscribe to our online meeting on 19 February 2025, 16.00-17.00 CEST.
register
Webinar: The STOP-FEMINICIDE law A Belgian initiative
January 31, 2025
The EFJCA is organising a webinar on 2 April 2025. This webinar is entirely dedicated to The STOP-FEMINICIDE law. This Belgian initiative will be explained during the webinar by staff from the Belgian Institute for the Equality of Women and Men.
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Call for grant-proposals 2025 open now
January 24, 2025
In 2025, the European Family Justice Center Alliance (EFJCA) will offer its Privileged FJC Members the opportunity to receive financial support through grants. Deadline for application: 24 March 2025.
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January 3, 2025
We kindly ask our members to renew the membership by registering through our website (see link below), it only takes a few minutes to fill in the online form, it’s free of charge. If you didn’t register as a member yet, may we ask to fill in the form.
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January 2, 2025
We look back on a year 2024, in which our network grew and we were able to experience many activities together with you. We had a range of joint ventures with organizations and professionals from more than 30 countries, and were able to work together on the development of new centers and the support for existing centers and organizations.
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Intrafamiliaal geweld: een politioneel-justitieel praktijkhandboek
December 27, 2024
In de publicatie Intrafamiliaal geweld (derde editie) gaan we in op de politionele rol bij intrafamiliaal geweld en de aansluitende justitiële aanpak. We kijken naar de dynamieken van waaruit de aanpak zijn vormen krijgt.
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Photo-impression of the 6th international EFJCA conference 2024
December 2, 2024
Curious about the pictures of our 10th EFJCA anniversary Conference this year in Milan? We are happy to share on overview of the three days of networking and exchanging in our photo-impression. Just click below to discover our photo-impression.
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Free webinar 'Istanbul Convention and EU directive' (11th of December 2024)
November 28, 2024
Do you want to know more about the Istanbul Convention, the monitoring, the state repots, the first thematic round now going on,... and the results of this monitoring? Join us on our webinar on the 11th of December, from 15.30 to 17.00, for more information and to exchange ideas on this.
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Free webinar 'Violence against siblings' (5th of December 2024)
October 24, 2024
Free Webinar by Tanya Rouleau Whitworth, Corinna Jenkins Tucker and Eva Van Kelecom. In this webinar, we will define and discuss the types of sibling aggression and abuse, their impacts, and implications for prevention, screening, and intervention. We will also propose how such information could be infused into curricula and ongoing training for social and judicial professionals and discuss implications for policy.
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Free Online Cross-profession meeting (5th of November 2024)
October 23, 2024
Since 2023, the EU has a program called ‘Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP)’. Within this program the EFJCA provides small grants to it’s privileged members. On the 5th of November 2024 the 6 granted projects will share their work in developing multidisciplinary response of gender-based violence and domestic violence, and exchange with the audience their experiences.
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Report of the 6th International EFJCA-conference
October 10, 2024
The 6th International EFJCA conference was organized by the European Family Justice Center Alliance, the FJC Milan and the Fondazione IRCCS – Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico. The main topic of the conference was the collaboration of the health sector in the multidisciplinary approach of gender-based violence and domestic violence.
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EFJCA Conference: almost starting!
August 28, 2024
We are excited for our upcoming conference in Milan, with a lot of guests and participants from a range of countries. It’s still possible to register: participation online (special price) and in person.
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August 28, 2024
12 Years ago, an enthusiastic team applied for a Daphne-project at the European Commission to start Family Justices Centers in 6 European cities and got rewarded. After the two-year project, the partners decided to continue their work and launched the European Family Justice Center Alliance.
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Accreditation International EFJCA conference Approved
August 28, 2024
We are very happy to announce the accreditation ECM (Continuing Medical Education for medical professionals, including psychologists) and the accreditation for social workers is approved. This is both for attendance in person and online (accreditation per hour).
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International EFJCA Conference: registration open
August 21, 2024
We invite you to participate in our 6th International EFJCA Conference. To make it possible for everyone to participate: online participation is possible: Online registration fee = 75 Euro
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Grants 2024: The awarded projects
June 6, 2024
The EFJCA is proud to announce the 3 projects awarded for 2024 within the EU program financial support to members of our network. The grants will support the (further) development of new and existing FJCs and related multidisciplinary models and improve their work towards a victim/survivor-centered and trauma-informed approach and create pathways of hope and empowerment.
read more
Webinar “Specialized courts for domestic violence”
April 15, 2024
Rotterdam, The Netherlands, organized a specific court for domestic violence. These court hearings combine criminal and civil law cases. The court hearings are led by specialized attorneys and judges. This approach is unique in the Netherlands.
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Looking for partners in Eastern Europe/Balkan
April 15, 2024
The Women's Shelter in Styria/Austria is looking for partners from Eastern Europe or Balkan countries to participate in the following project proposal: “The System Matters - TSM Parenthood: Adressing parenthood in victim-safety oriented work with male perpetrators, female victims of GBV and children”.
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International EFJCA Conference in Milan (Italy)
March 27, 2024
The next international FJC-conference will take place in Milan, Italy, in the first week of September. Together with the colleagues from FJC Milan and the Fondazione IRCCS - Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico we offer conference days, network-meeting, exchange and good-practices.
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March 27, 2024
In 2024, the European Family Justice Center Alliance (EFJCA) will offer its Privileged FJC Members the opportunity to receive financial support through grants. The proposed projects must have an overall budget between EUR 15.000 and EUR 22.000. Deadline for application: 31 March 2024.
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Week 20-24 November Conferences and Masterclasses
December 14, 2023
The EFJCA organized in partnership a week of conferences and masterclasses. Meetings took place in Amsterdam, Antwerp, Rotterdam and Leuven. More than 1350 professionals attended the conferences and masterclasses (live and online).
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75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: CERV stands up for human rights!
December 11, 2023
The EFJCA is mentioned on the news-site of the European Commission as one of the projects supported by the EU The Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values programme (CERV), created to protect and promote rights and values as enshrined in the EU Treaties and the Charter on Fundamental Rights, recognizing and defending the universality of human rights.
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New online publication from Pointer about violence against women 'the story of Merel'
December 8, 2023
Pointer published Merel's story within the United Nations international campaign against violence against women. Merel's ex abused her. He was already imprisoned thirty years ago for trying to kill his then girlfriend and his child. But Merel only found out much later.
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November 14, 2023
Saturday 11 November published ‘de Volkskrant’ a 3-page interview with Linda Terpstra and Anke van Dijke, the founders of the national expertise and treatment center for everyone who has (had) to deal with violence in dependency relations.
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Week 20-24 November Conferences and Masterclasses
November 3, 2023
The EFJCA organizes in partnership a week of conferences and masterclasses. There is the opportunity to be present in person or to follow on line.
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Masterclass 'Connecting Care and Safety to prevent violence'
October 25, 2023
On Wednesday, November 22, 2023, the masterclass 'Connecting Care and Safety to prevent violence' will take place at the Erasmus MC in Rotterdam. Jane Monckton Smith, British professor of criminology and expert in the field of femicide, will share her knowledge and experiences as a keynote speaker during this meeting. Participation in the masterclass is free.
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Masterclass Intimate Terror and non-fatal strangulation (Antwerp/Belgium)
September 29, 2023
The EFJCA invited prof. Jane Monckton-Smith, Susan Haile and Prof.dr. Catherine White for an in depth masterclass on Intimate Terror, Coercive Control and 8 steps to homicide, and non-fatal strangulation. The goal is to reach understanding and tools in tackling these complex and dangerous dynamics and forms of gender based and domestic violence. The masterclass is in person.
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Online Conference 'Femicide & Intimate Terror Conference'
September 13, 2023
The municipality of Amsterdam, the Stay Group and the Amsterdam police are organizing this online conference together with EFJCA on Monday, November 20, 2023. The meeting is intended for all professionals in the judicial and emergency services sectors who (may) have to deal with femicide and intimate terror in their work. The conference addresses all aspects of these very dangerous forms of domestic violence.
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Register now: International Conference Leuven (Belgium)
September 29, 2023
An international conference will take place in Leuven (Belgium) on 24 and 25 November 2023. The main topic of the conference is ‘Working together for a safe home’ - international conference on the multidisciplinary centers and the approach of gender-based and domestic violence.
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Save-the-date: International Conference Leuven (Belgium)
July 11, 2023
An international conference will take place in Leuven (Belgium) on 24 and 25 November 2023. The main topic of the conference is ‘Working together for a safe home’ - international conference on the multidisciplinary centers and the approach of gender-based and domestic violence.
read more
International EFJCA cross-professional meeting 31/08/2023 - A closer look at European FJCs
July 7, 2023
Thursday August 31 2023 the EFJCA will organize an on-line international EFJCA cross-professional meeting with the title: A closer look at European FJCs!. This meeting with the international EFJCA members is all about exchanging good-practices, latest news and developments, sharing of information and knowledge, and especially aimed at learning from each other in our joint efforts to develop and maintain the most effective ways of a multidisciplinary approach of gender-based violence and domestic violence.
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TV report on the masterclass Coercive Control and femicide with Jane Monckton-Smith
May 31, 2023
Terzake, a daily news program of the VRT (Flemish Radio and TV) brought a report on intimate terror, with an interview with prof Jane Monckton-Smith, made by Dominique De Graef during our masterclass with Jane on February 14 this year in Rotterdam, followed by a studio interview.
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Training Police academy Reykjavik, Iceland
May 26, 2023
The EFJCA gave a training for 50 police officers, online and in person, in Iceland. The topics covered were the dynamics of intimate partner violence, with a focus on intimate terror and families under stress, the impact on children and what this means for police action. In the afternoon we worked on non-fatal strangulation.
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International EFJCA cross-professional meeting (on-line)
May 22, 2023
Thursday June 15th 2023 the EFJCA will organize an on-line our international EFJCA cross-professional meeting. This meeting with the international EFJCA members is all about exchanging good-practices, latest news and developments, sharing of information and knowledge, and especially aimed at learning from each other in our joint efforts to develop and maintain the most effective ways of a multidisciplinary approach of gender-based violence and domestic violence.
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News from FJC Kempen (Belgium)
May 10, 2023
The FJC Kempen in Belgium is growing and organizing more interdisciplinary collaboration, focusing on high-conflict divorces, regional cooperation and the sustainabilty of the FJC.
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Year Report FJC Antwerpen 2022
April 7, 2023
The year report of the FJC Antwerp gives an overview of the work and innovations in 2022, and also what’s in the pipeline. The report is in Dutch. Please contact us when you want to find out more.
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Dutch TV Broadcast on Feminicide and Non-Fatal-Strangulation
April 7, 2023
The TV makers of POINTER, a Dutch investigative journalism platform of KRO-NCRV on TV, radio and online, broadcast a strong report yesterday about the (failing) approach to femicide and non-fatal strangulation. The broadcast is in Dutch, but parts of the report are spoken in English.
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April 4, 2023
As part of its continuing activism against gender-based violence, the Embassy of Belgium organized an interactive presentation “Gender-based and domestic violence: experiences from the Belgian approach” by the Belgian experts Mrs. Pascale Franck of the EFJCA and Mrs. Margot Taeymans of the department of Justice.
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Report 5th International Family Justice Center Conference
April 3, 2023
The 5th International Family Justice Center Conference was organized by the European Family Justice Center Alliance, the Province of Antwerp, the City of Antwerp with support, the FJC Antwerp and funding of the EU. The first day of the conference focused on Child to Parent Violence. Child-to-parent violence is a subset of domestic violence that is often ignored or misidentified. The second day targeted Trauma and Hope.
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Call for grant-proposals now open!
March 31, 2023
In 2023, The European Family Justice Center Alliance (EFJCA) will offer its Privileged FJC Members the opportunity to receive financial support through grants. The deadline for submissions is on 31 May 2023.
read more
Last days to register for our 5th International FJC Conference
March 6, 2023
Interested participants still have a few days to register for our 5th International EFJCA-conference: 15th and 16th of March 2023, in Antwerp, Belgium. We will focus on two main topics: "Child to Parent Violence" and "Trauma and Hope".
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Study day on Drug abuse and domestic violence, Leuven Belgium
March 6, 2023
The study day focussed on the interaction of drug abuse and domestic violence. The EFJCA provided a keynote speech on moral deliberation and the 7-step methodology used in the FJC of Antwerp, as basis to safeguard the rights of victims in cases of domestic violence and gender-based violence.
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Masterclass Jane Monckton Smith
February 14, 2023
The EFJCA organized a masterclass with professor Jane Monckton Smith, on the very severe cases of intimate partner violence and the 8 stages to murder. The content of the masterclass was based on case-studies and evidence-based methodology.
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Visit of an international group, member of the EFRJ, at FJC Antwerp
February 2, 2023
20 professionals, members of the European Forum of Restorative Justice, from 9 countries, visited the FJC of Antwerp to get to know the FJC-work and model and to share knowledge, ideas and talk about the work of restorative justice and the multidisciplinary approach of domestic violence.
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38th Annual San Diego International Conference on Child and Family Maltreatment
January 21-27, 2023
The EFJCA took part in the 38th Annual San Diego International Conference on Child and Family Maltreatment. The conference was organized by Chadwick Center for Children and Families.
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Chan Hellman: workshop and guest speaker at FJC Conference
January 20, 2023
Our 5th International FJC Conference will be held on 15, 16 and 17 March 2023 (Antwerp, Belgium). We are very happy to announce Chan Hellman will be our guest speaker and he will also provide a Masterclass “Responding to trauma and adversity: Hope as a framework for action”
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5th International EFJCA-conference: 15th and 16th of March 2023
January 17, 2023
Register now for our 5th International EFJCA-conference: 15th and 16th of March 2023, in Antwerp, Belgium. We will focus on two main topics: "Child to Parent Violence" and "Trauma and Hope".
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Masterclass Intimate Terror and Coercive Control
January 12, 2023
This masterclass on the 14th February 2023 focuses on ‘Intimate terror and coercive control', a very severe form of gender based and domestic violence. The masterclass will be held at BCN Rotterdam (Barbizonlaan 25, Capelle a/d IJssel, The Netherlands) but can also be followed online.
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Planning the next steps in 2023 and exciting news
December 30, 2022
We are very pleased to inform you about the exciting plans of our EFJCA network for 2023. A lot of activities are planned and we will reach out to you with several opportunities to exchange, learn, build capacity, support, inform and more.
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5th International EFJCA-conference: 15th, 16th and 17th of March 2023
December 23, 2022
Hereby we want to share with you the "Save the Date" for our 5th International EFJCA-conference: 15th, 16th and 17th of March 2023, in Antwerp, Belgium. Registration will soon be possible on this website.
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Project ‘Intimate Terror’, The Netherlands
December 20, 2022
In December, the project Intimate Terror, a pilot by the Dutch FJCs Sterk Huis, Filomena and Fier and the EFJCA, was drafted in the end-report. During 9 months, the partners in the project worked out an into depth training and a safety-and-care program in intimate terror.
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December 15, 2022
The SafeShelter project, EU co-funded 2-year project (2021/2022), has been completed. The project offers a range of products to develop and implement procedures and guidelines to provide safety for children in women's shelters.
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Report webinar Non-Fatal Strangulation (by dr. Cath White)
December 12, 2022
Today Cath White gave, on behalf of the EFJCA, a webinar.This webinar focused on one of the most hidden and lethal forms of domestic violence, with very serious consequences for the victims: (non-fatal) strangulation.
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Colloquium on Gender-Based Violence in Mauritius
November 30, 2022
The colloquium brought together European experts from the EFJCA, France and Mauritian participants to share best practices as regards tackling this social ill, kicked-off, today, at the Ravenala Attitude in Balaclava, in the context of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women observed annually on 25 November.
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November 22, 2023
On the 22th of November the FJC Antwerp celebrated the 11th anniversary of the Center. Several high level speakers told the story of 11 years FJC-community.
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Training multidisciplinary approach of domestic violence and child-friendly interviewing St-Maarten
Oktober-November 2022
The EFJCA provided a 8-day training on St-Maarten, focussing on the multidisciplinary approach of domestic violence, trauma-impact and trauma-sensitief care and interviewing of children (and other vulnerable persons) who are victims of and/or witnesses of serious (sexual) violent crimes.
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13th International Conference of Centre Dardedze (Latvia)
October 26, 2022
The EFJCA provided a workshop during the 13th International Conference of Center Dardedze in Latvia. The presentation focused on the practices of a multidisciplinary approach to working with families where child abuse has occurred.
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Webinar Non-Fatal Strangulation (by dr. Cath White)
September 30, 2022
This EFJCA-webinar on the 12th of December 2022 focuses on one of the most hidden and lethal forms of domestic violence, with very serious consequences for the victims: (non-fatal) strangulation. The webinar is recommended for professionals in learning the basics about the dynamics and impact of non-fatal strangulation, and how to recognize, disclose, question and investigate this form of violence.
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Videos on ‘Child safeguarding in women’s shelters, the realization of safety for children’
September 28, 2022
Women’s shelters are one of the most crucial, specialised support services for women survivors of gender-based violence and their children. The shelter must be a safe place for the mothers and their children.
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Opening of the new FJC Foyle (Derry, N.Ireland)
September 2, 2022
Today the official opening of the Foyle Family Justice Centre was celebrated. Foyle Family Justice Centre is be part of the European Family Justice Centre Alliance and the first of it's kind in the UK or Ireland.
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Masterclass Intimate Terror and Coercive Control (by Professor Jane Monckton Smith)
September 2, 2022
This masterclass on the 17th November 2022 focuses on ‘Intimate terror and coercive control', a very severe form of gender based and domestic violence. The masterclass will be held at the FJC Antwerp (Bexstraat 20, Antwerp, Belgium) but can also be followed online.
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5th International EFJCA-conference: 15th and 16th of March 2023
August 11, 2022
"Save the Date" for our 5th International EFJCA-conference: 15th and 16th of March 2023, in Antwerp, Belgium. We will focus on two main topics: "Adolescent/Young Adult domestic violence towards Parents and Siblings" and "The empowerment of victims of gender-based violence and domestic violence through the HOPE-approach".
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In the picture: Echo peer support group and Voices
August 5, 2022
Echo unites survivors of child abuse in Flanders. The FJC Antwerp hosts monthly peergroup support groups at the location of the FJC, and work together with the coordinators of Echo, all Voices and survivors, to strengthen the support towards survivors and work on prevention policy.
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Participation at the 11th international conference of the EFRJ
June 25, 2022
The EFJCA participated at the international conference of the European Forum for Restorative Justice (EFRJ) (both networks share a Memorandum of Understanding and work together on the topics of gender based violence, domestic violence and restorative justice). The conference was held from 23 until 25 June in Sassari (Italy).
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Report 4th International Family Justice Center Conference
June 20, 2022
The 4th International FJC Conference was organized in the City of Rotterdam. 220 participants of 15 countries attended the conference. In the days following the conference, visitors were able to visit the FJCs Filomena (Rotterdam), Sterk Huis (Tilburg) and Fier (Leeuwarden).
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Exchange between FJC Antwerp and FJC Aruba
June 10, 2022
The team of FJC Antwerp hosted a part of the team of FJC Aruba in an exchange meeting on good practices, tools and methodologies, and working with Voices and survivors. The exchange is part of the EFJCA work in sharing knowledge and experiences, building bridges between FJCS, support of start-up of FJCs and mutual capacity-building.
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Alliance for Hope 22th Annual International FJC Conference
May 27, 2022
The Alliance for Hope organized in San Diego (USA) the 22th Annual International Family Justice Center Conference. The conference, from 23 to 27 May, focused on the development of multi-agency, multi-disciplinary teams.
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SafeShelter meeting, Barcelona (Spain)
May 23-24, 2022
The EU funded project (CERV-program), SafeShelter, held a meeting with the project partners in Barcelona. SafeShelter aims to provide capacity building training on developing, implementing and enforcing child safeguarding policies and frameworks for shelter and multisectoral staff working with shelters.
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FJC Mechelen (Belgium) celebrated 5 years
May 23, 2022
FJC Mechelen, Belgium, celebrated her 5th birthday on 23 of May 2022. NGO's, police, the prosecutor's office and the Flemish government and the local authorities of the 12 municipalities in the Rivierenland region work closely together to offer a costume-made approach towards victims of domestic violence and their families. In those five years, 1,749 families have been helped by the FJC.
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FJC Victory Hills (Iceland) in the picture
May 19, 2022
VICTORY HILLS - SIGURHÆÐIR in Icelandic - are these very days celebrating their first year of operation. March 20th 2021 was the occasion of its opening ceremony and two days later its doors opened up to the survivors of gender based violence in the whole southern quarter of Iceland.
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Training for Law Enforcement, Aruba
May 13, 2022
The EFJCA trained the police force of Aruba (80 participants) on tackling gender based and domestic violence. During the training, several topics were addressed.
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Official opening FJC Kempen (Belgium)
May 12, 2022
On 12th of May 2022 the 4th FJC of Belgium opent officially the doors. The minister of Justice, Flemish government, Zuhal Demir and several stakeholders explained the work and development of FJC Kempen. Ines Conderaerts, director of the FJC Kempen proudly presented the team.
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May 9-11, 2022
A three-day support program by the EFJCA, aimed at the stakeholders, partners and involved organizations took place in Bonaire, with the aim of promoting further awareness processes and guiding the strategic planning for the establishment of the FJC.
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European Crime Prevention Conference, Brussels Belgium
April 29, 2022
The EFJCA provided a workshop in the sessions "targeted approaches of domestic violence" of the European Crime Prevention conference organized by the EUCPN (European Crime Prevention Netwerk). The European Crime Prevention Conference is the biennial conference of the EUCPN and offers a forum to share knowledge and experiences regarding crime prevention across the European Union.
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Newsletter from FJC Mechelen, Belgium
April 29, 2022
FJC Mechelen has published a new edition of "FJC Mechelen Today", a digital newsletter that gives you an insight into the daily operation of the Family Justice Center. “FJC Mechelen Today” is published twice a year.
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Conference on working with perpetrators in a multidisciplinary setting
April 20, 2022
The Association for Nonviolent Communication, Slovenia, working with victims and perpetrators of domestic violence and VAW, organized together with the Prison Administration a one day conference for professionals dealing with perpetrators of violence on April 20th, 2022 in Ljubljana, Slovenia. The EFJCA provided an online workshop 'Gender-based and domestic violence: working with perpetrators in a multidisciplinary setting'.
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Network meeting EFJCA March 2022
March 23, 2022
The EFJCA organized an online network meeting for her members. 50 participants from 20 countries subscribed to the network meeting.
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Board Meeting EFJCA March 2022
March 9, 2022
The EFJCA had his first board meeting of 2022 on March 2022. The board spoke and took decisions on various subjects.
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Lecture at the KULeuven (Belgium)
March 1, 2022
The EFJCA gave a lecture about building FJCs in Europe for the master criminology at the Catholic University of Leuven.
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Training FJC Aruba, februari 2022
Februari 25, 2022
The EFJCA gave trainings for the staf and partners of the stakeholders of the FJC in Aruba. The training took place from 21 to 25 February 2022 and focused on sevaral topics.
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Workshop Gender based approach in shelters (The Netherlands)
February 14, 2022
The EFJCA was one of the key-note participants in the workshop on gender based approach of victims of domestic violence in the Dutch shelters. The workshop is part of a guideline towards a further implementation of gender based approach in the shelters in The Netherlands.
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Annual Report FJC Antwerp, Belgium
February 8, 2022
In the link you will find the 2021 annual report of the FJC Antwerp. In addition to figures that show the number of dossiers and clients handled, the annual report also describes the activities and activities of the FJC in 2021. This report is currently only available in Dutch.
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Annual Report FJC Mechelen, Belgium
January 31, 2022
In the link you will find the 2021 annual report of the FJC Mechelen. In addition to figures that show the number of dossiers and clients handled, the annual report also describes the activities of the FJC in 2021. This report is currently only available in Dutch.
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Masterclass non-fatal strangulation
January 20, 2022
The EFJCA organized an online masterclass "Non-fatal strangulation" with dr Catherine White, clinical director St Mary Sexual Assault Center, Manchester, UK. The masterclass focussed on one of the most hidden and lethal forms of domestic violence, with very serious consequences for the victims: (non-fatal) strangulation.
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Training Child friendly interviewing Aruba
January 20, 2022
The EFJCA provided a six day training in child friendly interviewing for the Law Enforcement on Aruba, in two parts (December and January). The training focussed on interviewing of children who are victim and/or witness of abuse and violence. A theoretical part focussed on the methodology of interviewing, trauma impact on children, child development, law, providing evidence, the practical part included interactive exercises, role plays and discussions and evaluation.
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The SafeShelter Guide available
January 17, 2022
The SafeShelter Guide is available. SafeShelter is a project that aims to provide training on developing, implementing and enforcing child safeguarding policies and frameworks in shelters. The target group of this Guide are all women’s shelter staff who have children residing in the shelter, as well as all professionals and agencies they work with in order to safeguard children.
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EFJCA Network meeting and training
January 17, 2022
The EFJCA organized the first network meeting of 2022 on 17th of January. 63 participants from 15 countries participated in the meeting. The team of Alliance for Hope USA shared their recent experiences with the colleagues of the EU.
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Conference Safe&Together 'Changing Systems Globally'
January 14, 2022
The EFJCA participated today at the Conference of Safe&Together ('Changing Systems Globally') with a workshop on Family Justice Centers in Europa. The main topic was to provide the opportunity to learn and share meaningful and sustainable strategies for practice and systems change across both North America and Europe.
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