After a devastating report, which showed that parents and children structurally do not feel heard within Youth Protection North (JBN), the organization promised improvement by “better involving the voices of young people and families in the steps they take.” But affected parents have not yet noticed much of these intentions, which is why a letter was sent to JBN last week in which parents ask for an apology and compensation.
Marga de Groot, confidential counselor at the Youth Protection Reporting Center North, sent the letter on behalf of approximately 45 parents. “There has not yet been any approach from JBN to parents. We believe that they should have received a letter by now indicating that things have gone wrong. And with apologies.” But the parents she represents have not yet received such a message.
“They say that many things are getting better, but parents who are currently having problems receive no recognition,” says De Groot. “There is a clear report, which you as a director can simply respond to. But this does not do justice to the parents and children.”
According to De Groot, JBN’s focus is mainly on internal problems and not the problems experienced by the victims. “The parents have not been included in all organizational actions, which is extremely painful,” De Groot writes on behalf of the parents. “JB Noord has only been concerned with itself internally.” According to the confidential counselor, they are only concerned with ‘damage control’.
In addition to apologies, and thus recognition of the problems experienced by parents and children, the victims also ask for compensation. “Apart from the emotional damage, parents are constantly forced to take legal action. If JBN does not carry out the cases, they have to take legal action. There are parents who can no longer even do their work.”
The purpose of the letter sent is to schedule a meeting in which an independent committee will be set up to assess the damage. In addition, JBN is requested to send a letter of apology in advance. “For many parents, this is very important for processing, but also a measure of recognition for the suffering they have suffered.”
De Groot also sent a letter on behalf of the parents to the Quality Mark Institute (KMI), the organization that awarded a new certificate to JBN in mid-September. They object to KMI’s decision to grant Youth Protection North a new certificate.