Flanders Launches New Protocol to Protect Emergency Workers from Aggression

The Flemish government, in collaboration with employer and employee organizations, has launched a comprehensive aggression protocol (agressieprotocol) aimed at better protecting emergency workers and public servants from violence and intimidation. The initiative, led by Flemish Minister of Internal Affairs Hilde Crevits (CD&V), establishes clear guidelines for all 285 Flemish municipalities and five provinces to prevent, respond to, and provide aftercare for aggression incidents.

Context: A Crisis Triggered by Tragedy

The protocol, approved at the Flemish Ministerial Council on June 5, 2026, was prompted by the murder of OCMW (Public Centre for Social Welfare) social worker Erik Boone, who was stabbed to death during a routine home visit in Ghent in August 2025. The tragedy exposed a long-simmering crisis: according to VRT NWS, the murder sent shockwaves through Belgium and laid bare a broader problem of rising aggression against public service workers.

The scale of the issue is stark. A 2025 study by the Vias Institute found that over 90% of emergency workers have experienced aggression, with 83.5% facing verbal aggression, 61.2% experiencing threats and intimidation, and 47.2% encountering physical violence. The Flemish government recorded nearly 2,000 reports of unwanted behavior in the workplace in 2024 alone — 1,347 cases of psychological violence, 377 of physical violence, 26 of bullying, and 21 of sexual harassment.

What the Protocol Entails

The aggression protocol serves as a practical guide for local and provincial authorities to develop or improve their own aggression policies. As Minister Crevits stated in the official press release: “It goes without saying that we do not tolerate any form of aggression or violence towards employees. Every incident deserves serious follow-up.”

Key components of the protocol include:

• Risk Assessment: Authorities must map risks per function and location, identifying which roles face the highest exposure to aggression.
• Physical Safety Measures: Installation of alarm buttons, security cameras, and clear evacuation routes in government buildings.
• Code of Conduct: Development of behavioral codes and awareness campaigns for both staff and the public.
• Aggression Coordinator: Each authority must appoint a central point of contact for aggression-related issues.
• Mandatory Training: De-escalation training for staff members.
• Improved Aftercare: Better support for victims of aggression incidents.
• Stricter Home Visit Protocols: High-risk home visits may no longer be conducted alone, and some may be moved to office locations.

The Agency for Internal Affairs (Agentschap Binnenlands Bestuur) will host templates, information, and best practices on a central website to support implementation.

Stakeholder Reactions

Employer organizations have welcomed the protocol. Piet Van Schuylenbergh of the Association of Flemish Cities and Municipalities (VVSG) told VRT NWS that the protocol “builds on a number of good practices from local governments that already address aggression against staff. It is very practice-oriented.”

Trade unions, while supportive, have urged caution about implementation. Nathalie Hiel, National Secretary of ACV Openbare Diensten, described the protocol as “a first step in further activating the awareness of local and provincial authorities regarding aggression,” but stressed that “aggression policy requires daily monitoring of possible risks and immediate adjustments where necessary.”

Gert Vlasselaer of ACOD Lokale en Regionale Besturen was more pointed: “This protocol finally acknowledges what has long been clear to ACOD: aggression is not part of the job. Now it’s about authorities not just putting this on paper, but actually implementing it with concrete measures, training and sufficient resources.”

Jeroen Noerens of VSOA Lokale en Regionale Besturen highlighted the budget challenge, expressing hope that “local and provincial authorities, even in a difficult budgetary context, continue to pay sufficient attention to investments in prevention, safety and protection of their employees.”

Broader Policy Context

The new protocol builds on earlier measures. In December 2025, Federal Minister of Social Integration Anneleen Van Bossuyt (N-VA) issued a circular allowing authorities to revoke or deny living allowances (leefloon) to individuals who commit aggression against OCMW workers, as VRT NWS reported. The new protocol extends this approach by providing a comprehensive framework for prevention and response across all public service roles.

Implications and Outlook

The protocol represents a significant policy response to a growing crisis. For citizens, it means stricter rules at public counters and OCMW offices, with aggressive behavior potentially leading to immediate removal from premises and, for OCMW clients, possible loss of living allowances. High-risk home visits may be restructured to prioritize worker safety.

However, the key challenge lies in implementation. Trade unions have warned that without adequate funding and genuine commitment from local authorities, the protocol risks becoming a paper exercise. The effectiveness of the measures will ultimately depend on whether local governments can translate guidelines into concrete action despite tight budgets.

As the independent Commission Against Aggression in Public Functions continues its work as a sector-wide platform, the Flanders protocol could serve as a model for other Belgian regions. For now, it marks an important first step in ensuring that those who serve the public can do so without fear for their safety.