our programs

Our programs focus on primary violence prevention, that is, education that enables individuals and organizations alike to prevent and interrupt transgressive behaviour and violence before or as it is happening.

We depart from the fact that violence is complex, that it happens between strangers and people that know each other, and that it develops and increases over time.

Through trauma-informed training, we train and practice skills that will help people recognize and respond to these different forms of violence in the safest possible way for them.

We focus on learning how to recognize warning signs, reconnect with and trust our intuition, communicate assertively, set boundaries, de-escalate situations, leave situations of conflict, listen empathically, ask for help and intervene as a bystander.

Our programs include professional NVC and Self Defense training, are principle-based and are adapted to specific target groups and environments.

What is violence exactly?

Behaviour by one or multiple people that goes beyond the boundaries of an individual or a group, and thereby inflicts emotional, mental and/or physical damage. For example: bullying, discrimination, (sexual) harassment, abuse, manipulation, coercion, stalking, aggression and physical assault.
What is the difference between primary, secondary and tertiary violence prevention?

Primary prevention addresses behaviours and situations before or as they are happening, in order to prevent escalation and victimization in the first place. Secondary prevention are responses during or right after violence happens, aiming to prevent a reoccurence or continuation. Tertiary Prevention are long-term responses after violence happens, to deal with the lasting consequences.
Non-Violent Communication (NVC)

NVC helps calm your mind in challenging situations, get clarity of your own emotional reactions, and the behavior of those around you. In order to manage feelings, it is essential to understand what is causing them and why. Working out what triggers stress for you can help you anticipate problems and think of ways to solve them. Even if you can’t avoid these situations, you can be prepared. NVC develops compassionate and empathetic communication skills. It is about connecting with yourself, to then connect with another person. With NVC you learn effective strategies for recognizing and meeting your and other’s needs.
Empowerment Self Defense (ESD)

Empowerment Self Defense training allows you to feel stronger, more confident and more in control of yourself and your environment. It (re)connects you directly to your voice, your body and your personal strengths, and is a very efficient way to train stressmanagement. Training Empowerment Self Defense boosts your confidence, changes your body language and self-perception, and increases your sense of self-efficacy and self-esteem. Training self defense allows you to be more authentic towards others, as you know you have the capacity to set clear boundaries if you must.
How are programs tailored to different target groups?

The forms of transgressive behaviour that we are met with can be, unfortunately, specifically related to our gender and gender identity, our age, our personal beliefs, the colour of our skin, our nationality, our profession, our cultural context, and professional environment. So are our options to respond to violence. They all depend on our personal reality. For example: Women are more likely to harassed sexually than men. People of colour are more likely to be discriminated against than white people. First responders are more likely to be faced with aggressive patients than back office employees. Bullying at school is different from family violence. In order to effectively train strategies that can help us be safe, it is crucial that we understand the context and reality of the individual or group. Hence, no program is exactly the same and always tailored to what best serves you in your situation.
How are these programs empowering?

Our programs are empowering in the sense that they strengthen an individual's mental, emotional and physical strength AND increase their actual capacity to recognize and respond to (potentially) harmful behaviours in a safe and constructive way.
What does trauma-informed mean?

Trauma-informed means that we recognize the fact that most people have already encountered, or currently find themselves, in some form of violent situation. Some of the topics or exercises that we address might therefore be uncomfortable, emotional, or even triggering for some participants. Our programs are set up in a way that they provide a safe environment for everyone, and our trainers are trained to recognize the signs of possible trauma-responses and guide participants through them at their own pace.

Key elements

Focus on awareness building and concrete skills.

Mental, verbal and physical skills.

Strengths-based.

Reflection, games and roleplay.

Trauma-informed.

Set participants up for success.

guiding principles

We strive for connection, trust and interaction between the participants and trainers.

We aim to emphasize and develop the personal strengths of the participants.

Both the content and the form in which training takes place should be accessible to everyone, regardless of age, gender, cultural background or physical condition.

Fun, play and interaction as important learning methods.