News item | 18-12-2025 | 18:09
More national guidance is needed to tackle violence against women and domestic violence. That is why the government will soon appoint a National Coordinator for Violence against Women and Domestic Violence. In addition, this government sees the added value of eventually introducing a national telephone number 116 and is committed to further exploring 116 as an independent referral point. This is stated in a letter that State Secretary Pouw-Verweij (Long-Term and Social Care), also on behalf of the State Secretary for Youth, Prevention and Sport, the State Secretary for Justice and Security, the State Secretary for Education, Culture and Science and the State Secretary for Participation and Integration, sent to the House of Representatives today.
In the Netherlands, 1.3 million people aged 16 and older become victims of domestic violence every year. State Secretary Pouw-Verweij: “The stories I hear from women who are victims of violence and relatives of femicide victims are heartbreaking. Women and children must always be safe in their own homes. It is extremely necessary that so much social and political attention is paid to violence against women and domestic violence. Tackling this violence is incredibly complicated and requires a comprehensive approach. That is why the government is appointing a National Coordinator.”
National Coordinator for Violence against Women and Domestic Violence
The National Coordinator will be appointed in the short term to create a greater overview of all policy measures and also to ensure more substantive coherence. The government will ask the National Coordinator to start working on a national action plan on violence against women and domestic violence. Child abuse also receives explicit attention. In addition, the National Coordinator will be the point of contact for municipalities and implementing organizations on the topics of violence against women and domestic violence so that signals from these organizations reach an appropriate place within the government. The National Coordinator falls under the responsibility of the coordinating minister, currently the State Secretary for Long-term and Social Care. The position is filled in a highly official capacity.
National telephone number 116
The current government sees added value in a national number 116 where women who are victims of violence can easily go for a listening ear, advice and triage to appropriate assistance. Such a central number can only be of added value if it fits in well with existing (assistance) organizations. The government will therefore first focus on further strengthening these organizations and in the longer term wants to further explore how 116 can best be organized.