In 2023, we worked together with the City of Brussels to launch the Nothing Without My Consent campaign, meant to address sexual and gender-based violence in public spaces, nightlife venues, and beyond. This initiative was developed in response to reports and studies highlighting the challenges women and gender minorities face in these environments.
The campaign focused on implementing 77 specific measures aimed at prevention, action, and sanction, with the goal of creating safer and more respectful public and nightlife spaces in Brussels.
How we translated the campaign into practice
Our action is structured around three key pillars:
1. Training of party organizers
We offer training sessions for nightlife staff and other stakeholders to raise awareness about consent and recognizing inappropriate behavior. We also provide, thanks to the Safe Ta Night network, training sessions aiming to prepare Care Teams to field interventions.
2. Support on charters and protocols
We’ve also been supporting nightlife venues to draft and implement charters and safety protocols tailored to their spaces, designed to provide clear guidelines for preventing gender-based violence in public and nightlife spaces.
3. Care Teams
Since 2023, we are deploying Care Teams at nightlife and festive events to provide support and assistance to individuals feeling unsafe. Their role is essential in preventing and managing incidents of over-consumption (not requiring first-aid intervention) as well as sexual and gender-based violence.
The campaign brought increased public awareness through citywide posters, events, and media outreach, fostering community support and visibility. It also contributed to safer nightlife spaces as venues adopted the campaign's charters and protocols, enhancing safety for patrons. Additionally, the presence of Care Teams at events provided on-site support, offering immediate assistance and a tangible sense of security.
The campaign was launched to address a persistent issue in Brussels: reports of sexual harassment and violence in public spaces and nightlife venues. These incidents have a significant impact on the sense of safety and well-being of individuals, particularly women and gender minorities.
The Nothing Without My Consent campaign was an important step in tackling gender-based violence in Brussels and the measures implemented during the campaign represent proactive steps toward addressing these challenges, but the work is ongoing. By reflecting on the results and learning from the experience, Brussels By Night, with the support of the City, aims to refine and expand these efforts in the future.
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