Community Resources & Services

Family Crisis Procedure

If you are experiencing acts of Family Violence it is NOT OK, it is NOT YOUR FAULT and please reach out for help.

Family violence is defined as acts of power and control by one person against another in a domestic setting. It can take place in heterosexual or same-sex relationships, or between former spouses and partners. Family violence can also involve acts against children, parents, or the elderly and it takes a number of forms including: physical, verbal, emotional, sexual, economic and religious.

If you are a CAF member and have witnessed acts of family violence within the Brussels OUTCAN community you have a duty to report what you have witnessed directly to the Deputy Military Representative of Canada, Joint Delegation to NATO. Civilians have a moral responsibility to report but are now bound by the same duty to report as members.

Here are some available resources

Please note: Regulations regarding the organization of public child abuse assistance services, (preventive) health care and education differ in all communities. Be sure to inform yourself if you are in a Flemish, French or German-speaking community. ***

Flanders Region

Vertrouwenscentrum Kindermishandling: In Flanders, this is the confidential center for child abuse and neglect and is the first contact point of assistance and service for the child victim of abuse.
- Tel: 02/669 40 50
- Email:[email protected]
- Address: Sainctelettesquare 17, 1000 Brussels
- Hours: Monday – Friday 9am - 5pm
- Language of Service: English/Flemish

Resources French Community/Brussels Capital Region

SOS Jeunes 24 Hours:In person/over the phone assistance to young adults ages 17-25. SOS Jeunes is a confidential service for listening and assisting in problem solving for young adults
- Tel: Hotline: 02/512 90 20 Reception 7 days/week 9h00-22h00. From 22h00-9h00 calls are forwarded to Urgent Social Assistance at 02/346 66 60
- Address: 27 Rue Mercelis, 1050 Brussels
- Email:[email protected]
- Language of Service: French (some operators can speak English but there is no guarantee)
Centre de Prévention des Violences Conjugales et Familiales: Offers specialized support to anyone suffering from domestic or interfamilial violence via telephone, one-on-one support, workshops and providing safe haven for women and women and children.
- Tel: 02/539 27 44
- Email:[email protected]
- Language of Service: French but staff try to have English speaking staff for in-person appointments, if required.
Victims of Violence: Online resource guide broken down by section: Shelters, family violence, rape, genital mutilation, trafficking, harassment in the street, prostitution, and perpetrators of violence.

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Belgium is roughly the same or slightly higher than that in Canada for certain products. Click HERE to see some comparisons.

Tipping in Belgium

Unlike other countries, tipping is not mandatory in Belgium because a service charge is already included in your bill. It is common to round up to the nearest Euro. Of course, if the service is exceptional and you would like to leave a gratuity, it is recommended not to exceed 10%.

What to know about the ovens in Belgium

The ovens in Belgium are generally much smaller than those we are used to in Canada. Pay special attention to this during your HHT since some of your kitchen pans will not fit inside, you might want to think about storing them.
In most homes, the stoves are induction (electromagnetic induction). Pay special attention to it during your HHT since your pots, your kitchen pans will not work if it’s different from what you are using now. You might want to think about storing them.

Waste and Recycling

Regarding the purchase of the garbage bin, recycling bin, collection schedule, purchase of stickers for organic waste, location of the recycling park, you should refer to Interza. Each commune has its own way of proceeding and its own collection schedule.
You can buy your waste bags or compost bags, specific to your commune, directly at your grocery store. Garbage bags are kept behind the counters so you must ask for them when you get to the cashier.
You can also refer to the Welcome Book in section 15.4***

Markets

Markets are a thing in Brussels, night markets, farmers markets, vintage markets. Below are a few websites providing information:

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