Explosive increase in women seeking help after sexual violence

The number of people seeking help after sexual violence has increased explosively, government commissioner Mariette Hamer reported to the government on Wednesday. “I hate to say it, but we see a pattern in society of how men treat women,” the government’s commissioner for sexually transgressive behavior and sexual violence said in an interview with NRC.

During the period 2020-2022, the number of requests for help increased by 37 percent to more than 40,000, according to research by the Verwey-Jonker Institute for Social Affairs. Researchers expect the top six aid organizations to receive 83 percent more reports next year than in 2020, Hamer said in his report to the government. These include complaints to the Center for Sexual Violence, Veilig Thuis, Victim Support Netherlands, Center for Safe Sports Netherlands, Helpwanted and Fier.

According to Hamer, the huge increase in reports is due in part to increased attention to the issue. “We saw a big spike in reports after BOOS aired on The Voice. Soon after, the government set up a national action program and appointed me. That also generated a lot of publicity,” he said. “People start talking about it at home or at work. They recognize themselves in the stories and start reporting for help.”

It attracted the attention of the media. “What was done to the victims was considered ‘normal’ for a long time. They are ashamed. They wonder what their part was in the matter, if they themselves did something wrong. It shouldn’t have showed my partner the door? That’s deeply rooted.”

So it’s good that society’s views are starting to change. “We’re looking at how we can make it safer across multiple sectors and learn how to interact with each other differently,” Hamer said. He mentioned the criminalization of street sexual harassment, which recently led to the first convictions. But there is still a way to go. “I heard a politician say in a debate about a safe climate for women that women simply cannot walk the streets at night. Excuse me?”

“What also helps is talking to people. And in the hope that people will pay more attention, in our culture of power relations. Because that’s often what it’s all about. We are already seeing all kinds of changes due to emancipation. Changing behavior is a final step in growing towards equality between men and women.”