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Safety · Belgium
Updated September 2026

🤲 I was the victim of a crime — what help and compensation can I get?

Direct answer

Every EU country must offer victims free support, information and, for violent crime, state compensation — regardless of whether the offender is caught. Slachtofferhulp (CAW) / Commissie voor financiële hulp aan slachtoffers (0800 13 500) is the victim-support service for Belgium: emotional support, help with the police and the court, practical help with insurers and employers, and the compensation application. Politie — Police-on-web (police.be) takes the report; ask for your rights as a victim in writing and for updates on the case. Bureau voor Juridische Bijstand (pro Deo) / Justitiehuis (advocaat.be) covers legal costs if you need a lawyer in the proceedings.

Call firstSlachtofferhulp (CAW) / Commissie voor financiële hulp aan slachtoffers
Report toPolitie — Police-on-web
If that failsBureau voor Juridische Bijstand (pro Deo) / Justitiehuis

🗣️ What to say

"I was the victim of [crime] on [date]; police report [number]. I would like support with [the procedure / compensation / practical matters] and to be informed about my rights and the progress of the case."

🪜 Step by step

  1. Report if you have notRights as a victim — information, protection, compensation — mostly start with the report.
  2. Contact Slachtofferhulp (CAW) / Commissie voor financiële hulp aan slachtoffersThey call you back, explain what happens next, and stay with you through the process.
  3. Ask for updatesYou have the right to be informed of the decision to prosecute, the trial date and the release of the offender, if you ask.
  4. CompensationFrom the offender in the criminal case, from insurers, and for violent crime from the state fund — Slachtofferhulp (CAW) / Commissie voor financiële hulp aan slachtoffers files it with you. Deadlines apply (often 1–3 years).
  5. Legal aid: Bureau voor Juridische Bijstand (pro Deo) / JustitiehuisFor a lawyer to join the case as a civil party, free below an income threshold.

📇 All contacts

Slachtofferhulp (CAW) / Commissie voor financiële hulp aan slachtoffersFree support and accompaniment, compensationAfter any crime📞 0800 13 500🔗 www.slachtofferzorg.be
Politie — Police-on-webOnline report, case number immediatelyAlways — the basis for bank, insurer and platform🔗 www.police.be/nl/e-loket
Bureau voor Juridische Bijstand (pro Deo) / JustitiehuisFree first-line advice and legal aid lawyerWhen you cannot afford a lawyer🔗 www.advocaat.be/nl/juridische-bijstand
Zorgcentrum na Seksueel Geweld (ZSG)Medical care, forensic exam, support, 24/7Anytime, also without a report🔗 www.seksueelgeweld.be

❓ Frequently asked

The offender was never found

State compensation for violent crime does not depend on a conviction; it depends on the report and the injury.

I was a victim in another EU country

You can report at home and the report is transferred; support services cooperate across borders. Slachtofferhulp (CAW) / Commissie voor financiële hulp aan slachtoffers starts the process.

Can I get protection from the offender?

Protection orders, address confidentiality and separate waiting rooms at court exist; ask Slachtofferhulp (CAW) / Commissie voor financiële hulp aan slachtoffers and the police explicitly.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

🔎 Common searches

Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.

  • “victim support Belgium”
  • “crime victim compensation Belgium”
  • “victim rights information case”
  • “help after crime free”
  • “state compensation violent crime”

🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

🔗 Related questions

🏚️Burglary→🫂Sexual violence→🆔Identity theft→💻Online harassment→

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