Breaking The Silence: When Survivors Find A Listening Ear

The non-profit Brise Le Silence supports survivors of sexual, physical and psychological violence in Belgium, offering a safer space to speak out and be heard without judgment. Based in Mons and active across Francophone Belgium, the association combines professional psychosocial support and peer-led experience sharing to help people rebuild after trauma. Today, they are looking for volunteers from the psychosocial field and peer supporters ready to give a few hours a month to stand alongside survivors. For queer and questioning people facing violence and disbelief, this kind of community-based support can be a lifeline — and a powerful way to reclaim your story.

Why breaking the silence matters

Brise Le Silence was created to support people who have experienced sexual violence, often in contexts where denial, shame and silence are still the norm. Many survivors live with traumatic memories, dissociation and fear that they will not be believed, especially when aggressors are family members or people they know well.

The association’s message is clear: “You are not alone, do not be ashamed, you are not guilty.” In a society that still questions victims and minimises sexual violence, especially when queer and trans identities are involved, this stance is both political and profoundly caring. For LGBTQIA+ people, who are more exposed to harassment, family rejection and sexualised violence, a dedicated listening space can mean the difference between isolation and connection.

What Brise Le Silence actually does

Brise Le Silence welcomes victims and their relatives who have experienced rape, incest, sexual assault and other forms of violence, in family or non-family contexts. The association offers individual support, expression groups and various activities tailored to people’s needs and rhythms.

A key part of their work is creating spaces where survivors can share their experiences, try different modes of expression and reconnect with others who “get it”. Workshops, group circles and thematic activities are led by experienced facilitators who understand trauma dynamics and the long-term impact of violence. For queer survivors used to masking or fragmenting parts of their identity to stay safe, being able to show up as their whole self is a quiet revolution.

A peer-based, community-driven approach

One of the specificities of Brise Le Silence is its use of complementary pairs to welcome people: each person is met by a duo that can include a peer helper bringing lived experience of violence alongside a trained professional. This dual approach helps bridge the gap between clinical support and community care, validating both expertise and lived reality.

For LGBTQIA+ people, being met by someone who also knows what it means to navigate stigma, family tensions or queerphobic environments can radically transform the experience of asking for help. Peer support can make it easier to talk about sexuality, gender, consent and relationships without fear of being judged, fetishised or misunderstood. At the same time, collaboration with psychosocial professionals ensures ethical, trauma-informed and sustainable care.

Why this matters to queer communities in Belgium

Sexual and gender-based violence affects all communities, but queer and trans people are often less likely to report it, and more likely to encounter misgendering, biphobia, transphobia or victim-blaming when they do. Having an association explicitly dedicated to survivors — and open to training professionals, raising awareness and organising public events — helps shift the narrative from shame to collective responsibility.

In the Belgian context, Brise Le Silence sits alongside other services for victims and LGBTQIA+ organisations, but with a specific focus on sexual violence and trauma. This makes it a valuable ally for queer cultural spaces, maisons arc-en-ciel, student groups or grassroots collectives looking for partners to talk about consent, safer spaces and handling disclosures of violence. For queer people in Mons, Brussels and beyond, knowing such a resource exists can make it easier to seek help before things get worse.

Trainings, awareness and safer cultures

Beyond direct support to survivors, Brise Le Silence develops trainings, conferences, testimonies and debates around sexual violence and trauma for schools, psychosocial professionals, associations and the general public. The goal: identify different forms of sexual violence, recognise trauma symptoms and build better responses for victims.

For the LGBTQIA+ scene — from nightlife to cultural institutions — this expertise is precious. Collaborating with an organisation like Brise Le Silence can help rethink party policies, volunteer training, staff guidelines and communication around consent and bystander intervention. This is where intersectionality becomes concrete: safer queer spaces require tools for responding to violence that are inclusive, trauma-aware and tuned into the realities of queer lives.

Volunteers wanted: stand alongside survivors

Right now, Brise Le Silence is actively looking for volunteers. They are particularly interested in people with a background in the psychosocial field and peer helpers with lived experience who can give a few hours per month to support the people they accompany.

Volunteering can involve listening, co-facilitating group activities, helping with awareness campaigns or supporting the association’s broader projects, depending on your profile and availability. For queer and allied professionals, this is a meaningful way to put your skills at the service of survivors and to help build more caring, inclusive communities.

If you want to get involved, you can send your CV and a motivation letter to contact@briselesilence.be. Whether you come as a professional, a peer helper or both, you will be joining a team that places dignity, respect and the right to speak at the centre of its work.

Practical info

• Organisation: Brise Le Silence ASBL, support for victims of sexual, physical and psychological violence
• Where: Based in Mons, active in Francophone Belgium (Wallonia and Brussels)
• What they offer: Individual support, expression groups, activities for survivors and relatives; trainings, talks and awareness campaigns for professionals and the public
• Contact & support: Phone: +32 (0)488 800 626, Email: contact@briselesilence.be, Website: briselesilence.be
• When: Phone permanence from Monday to Friday in the morning; activities and trainings according to programme (check their website or contact them directly)
• How to help: Volunteer as a psychosocial professional or peer helper; make a donation to support their work; invite them for trainings or awareness events in your organisation or queer space.

If you or someone close to you has experienced sexual violence, reaching out does not have to be loud or dramatic — a simple email or phone call can be a first, gentle step towards support.

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