Brussels by Night Enhancing safety for all

Launched in 2022, Brussels By Night demonstrates how city governments can transform nightlife safety through strategic partnerships with venue operators and city partners. Deploying incident response care teams at nighttime events, open air festivals and in nightlife districts has also helped prevent and manage gender-based and sexual violence, as well as drug and alcohol related incidents – while preserving vibrant nightlife culture and creating a safer nighttime economy. 

Building strategic partnerships with nighttime venues and operators 

Funded by the City of Brussels and developed in partnership with nightlife operators and local authorities, Brussels by Night is not-for-profit federation which emerged in the aftermath of COVID-19 lockdowns, when nightlife resumed and concerning incidents – including chemical submission and sexual assault – resurfaced.  

Given the systematic nature of gender-based and sexual violence, Brussels By Night asked operators to think about the issues and get involved over the long term, rather than responding to one-off incidents. Venues were given a toolkit which included the City and Brussels-Capital Region’s campaign messaging, posters and resources to help party venues raise awareness about gender-based and sexual violence.  

In 2023, Brussels by Night worked with nightlife operators to develop a protocol to identify, prevent and deal with sexist and violent behaviours. This was turned into a practical training course in 2024 for people working in clubs, bars, concert halls, festivals and as nightlife promoters. To complement this, Brussels by Night supports venues in implementing an incident response protocol. For example, they worked with Visit.brussels (a regional tourism promotion tool) on Pride 2024, reviewing the tools that had been put in place.   

In 2025, a new campaign video – which was previewed at Brussels Night Call, a conference focused on the city’s nightlife sector – will be released, raising awareness about measures and processes in place to keep party-goers safe, and how to escalate incidents. Brussels By Night acknowledges that gender-based and sexual violence is a systemic issue, not limited to clubs and festivals, but sees nightlife as a key arena for proactive intervention. 

Training and deploying nightlife incident-response teams 

As part of Brussel by Night’s nighttime safety strategy, they set up a Care Team in 2023. These paid volunteers are present at nighttime events, open air festivals and in nightlife districts to promote a feeling of safety among revellers, prevent violent and oppressive behaviour, and intervene in any incidents of gender-based and sexual violence.  

In 2024 alone, they recorded 132 incidents. Around 60% related to drug and alcohol use, 15% to inappropriate behaviour, 10% were injuries and minor health problems and 15% other incidents (such as passed out party goers or couple disputes). As well as providing water and recovery spaces, the Care Team coordinates with security and police to deal with cases of harassment and sexual assault. 

Data has also helped Brussels by Night coordinate Care Team presence according to hours of darkness, the types of events and venue, and when people are likely to feel the effects of drinking and drug taking. They have become a critical part of making Brussels a safer nighttime destination.