One digital case management system for assistance in cases of domestic violence in Flanders

The Agentschap Justitie & Handhaving brings together the strengths of five departments:

• Justitiehuizen
• Vlaams Centrum Elektronisch Toezicht
• Gender-related violence
• Vlaamse handhaving
• Assistance and services for detainees
  

The agency puts an end to the fragmentation of responsibilities that existed before. Care and attention for victims and strict monitoring of offenders are central. The goal is to prevent impunity and increase the safety of all citizens. Domestic violence is a serious and widespread problem. In Flanders alone, 27,000 official reports were filed in 2022, and the actual number is likely much higher. Year after year, the number continues to rise. It affects people from all social backgrounds and cultures, has a devastating impact on children, and carries a significant societal cost.

Key responsibilities of the agency regarding domestic violence include:

• Welcoming, informing, assisting, and referring victims
• Coordinating the chain approach to domestic violence and the Safe Houses
• Organizing the recognition and mediation committee for victims of historical abuse

To tackle the issue of domestic violence, the concept of Safe Houses was introduced. In a Safe House, a multidisciplinary team of professionals works together on an integrated chain approach to domestic violence (IFG). To support this multidisciplinary team, Agentschap Justitie & Handhaving needed a digital platform called WIDA.

Why WIDA?

To truly help affected families, accurate information is essential. WIDA is a digital platform that allows all involved partners to track, manage, and share a family’s case file. This enables efficient collaboration to take the right action at the right time.

Families dealing with violence need care—lots of care. Every partner in the chain has a piece of information that we try to bring together to create a solid action plan: for safety, for intervention, for care for the children. In this way, we succeed in weaving a network of support around the family.

Data exchange platform and user-friendly UI

Currently, there are nine Safe Houses in Flanders, each with a multidisciplinary team working on cases in their region. In addition to the Safe Houses, other partners also need to be involved in case follow-up. Previously, they all worked with their own systems, and sharing information was an administrative nightmare. WIDA solves this problem. We developed a user-friendly interface based on input from a group of key users. WIDA is a secure and reliable system. Collaboration is embedded in the DNA of the application, down to the rights and access matrix. With WIDA, we make a real difference for families affected by domestic violence.

We offer them a way out, a future, a safe home.