Brussels Unveils ‘New Start’ Plan for Abuse Victims
The Brussels regional government has approved a strategic note to implement a “Pack Nouveau Départ” (New Start Pack), a package of 36 measures designed to better support victims of violence by a violent (ex-)partner. Announced by Brussels Minister for Equal Opportunities Ahmed Laaouej (PS), the plan centres on a single entry point within Olista, the region’s specialised service for intrafamilial violence, so that victims are no longer left alone to navigate a complex web of administrative, legal, financial and housing procedures.
According to RTBF, the measures are to be rolled out by 1 July 2027, with a budget of 520,000 euros across all Brussels levels.
Context
The Pack is a follow-up to the regional policy declaration of February 2026. It was born from work by the feminist movement Vie féminine, which studied the post-separation period and, as early as November 2023, proposed a “pack reconstruction” built on five flagship measures. France launched its own “pack nouveau départ” experimentally in Val-d’Oise in September 2023, now operational in around ten departments.
The scale of the problem in Brussels is stark. As RTBF has reported, more than one in two women is confronted with at least one form of partner violence during her lifetime. In 2022, 4,848 intrafamilial violence incidents were recorded by police — more than 13 per day — including on average seven physical violence incidents within couples per day. Those figures exclude victims who never file complaints.
Key Developments
The Pack brings together 36 measures organised around six priorities: security, financial aid, legal assistance, psychological help, socio-economic protection, and housing. The central innovation is that Olista will assess a victim’s situation, identify priority needs and direct them to the right services — without requiring that a complaint be filed beforehand.
“A victim contacts a single point, explains their situation once, and is directed to housing, security, legal aid and social support,” Laaouej said.
Olista’s role will expand significantly. “Today, Olista mainly handles the most critical cases, the prevention of feminicides,” Laaouej said. “From now on, it will act more upstream, as an interface with all the structures concerned.” A single, widely publicised phone number will also be created.
Among the concrete measures is secure mail redirection, so a victim staying at a temporary address can keep receiving essential documents — bills, administrative mail, CPAS correspondence, school letters — without revealing the new address to the violent ex-partner. The Pack also provides support to close and transfer energy contracts, help with travel for administrative procedures, legal aid, and privileged access to cultural, collective and sports activities for victims and their children to break isolation. A project call with a budget of 120,000 euros aims to guarantee victims can regain financial autonomy.
Analysis
The plan places particular emphasis on what Laaouej calls “invisible” violence — economic pressure such as withholding money, and administrative violence such as refusing to forward mail.
“The partner seeks to cause harm one way or another and may withhold money or engage in administrative withholding. For example, not forwarding mail, knowing that this can put the person in difficulty,” he said.
Training will be reinforced for health professionals, first-line aid services, employers, managers, Actiris employees and police, to help them detect victims and refer them effectively. Regular follow-up and consultation with specialised associations and field actors is planned.
Leaving a violent home remains a highly critical moment. Studies cited by Vie féminine indicate that victims face economic dependency, social isolation and an increased risk of extreme violence, with 30 to 40 percent of feminicides occurring at the time of separation or shortly after. The Pack’s design — pairing practical support with a “person of confidence,” a peer with similar lived experience — reflects that recognition.
What’s Next
Implementation will mobilise both regional and community competences, a reminder of the complexity of Belgian federalism. The Brussels Region is acting within its own remit, while a federal and community-wide “pack nouveau départ” is still being discussed at the Interministerial Conference on Women’s Rights and is to be enshrined in the future national action plan for 2026-2031.
The French model offers both encouragement and caution: psychological and legal support have worked reasonably well there, but accommodation and childcare “absolutely do not work,” according to feedback cited in the research. Whether Brussels can avoid those pitfalls — particularly given reported pressure on services such as the Samusocial — will determine the Pack’s real-world impact.
The free number for victims and witnesses is 0800 30 030; in an emergency, call 112.