Cabinet appoints coordinator to tackle violence against women

The cabinet has appointed Judith Kuypers as the Netherlands’ first national coordinator for violence against women and domestic violence, a new post created to bring coherence to policy spread across four ministries.

Kuypers, who currently chairs the national network of Veilig Thuis domestic abuse advice centres, will start in mid-September, long-term care minister Mirjam Sterk said on Monday.

Her first task will be to assess existing policies on violence against women, domestic violence and child abuse and draw up a national action plan, for which MPs freed up an extra €10 million at the end of 2024.

She will also act as a single point of contact for local authorities and care organisations, with a support office at the health ministry.

One of the ideas under consideration is a national helpline for women facing violence, reachable on the number 116.

“Too often we only see the signals when it is already too late,” Sterk said, announcing the appointment on behalf of the cabinet.

Around 43 women are killed in the Netherlands every year – roughly one every eight days, most often by a partner or ex-partner. The Council of Europe said last year that the Netherlands was not doing enough to prevent violence against women, and the cabinet moved last month to make coercive control a standalone crime.

If you have experienced or are experiencing domestic or sexual violence, Veilig Thuis (Safe at Home) offers confidential advice 24 hours a day on 0800 2000 or at veiligthuis.nl. In an emergency, call 112.