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News | 07-06-2024 | 15:00
Today the action plan “Stop Femicide!” is presented. Femicide is a deadly form of violence against women and girls that occurs at all levels and in all places in Dutch society. The government wants to do everything it can to prevent femicide and other forms of violence against women and girls. That is why the government is working to improve the ability to recognize signs of violence, for example through the police, the judiciary and the Dutch Organization for Domestic Violence and Child Abuse”Stay safe at home‘ and intervene in cases of domestic violence at an early stage to prevent escalation. The action plan is the result of close cooperation with the families of victims of femicide, experts in domestic violence and child abuse, organizations that engage in field work with victims and perpetrators of domestic violence and child abuse, and scientific research institutions.
As State Secretary Maarten van Ooijen (Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport) explains: “Femicide is a problem that affects all of society. Its scale and complexity mean that we must look for a solution that goes beyond the healthcare sector, the police, the judiciary or the education sector. We must therefore work together to make much-needed changes. The action plan we are presenting today is designed to ensure that we can act faster and better in every way when we are at risk. This is certainly not just a stopgap measure aimed at improving the situation in the future, we must keep working to ensure that we continue to do our best for women and girls. We will also continue to engage bereaved families in the years ahead and refine our plan where necessary.”
In the words of Minister Franc Weerwind (Legal Protection): “Women are often victims of violence motivated by jealousy, a desire for control, fear or hatred. Sometimes the consequences are fatal. There are too many victims of femicide and there is no time to lose in stopping this crime. To do this, we need everyone to unite – I mean politicians, the police, the prosecution service, Veilig Thuis and society as a whole. Together we can protect potential victims more effectively, improve our investigative capabilities, prevent recidivism and punish perpetrators appropriately. This action plan contains concrete steps that will make our cooperation a success.”
Minister of Education, Culture and Science Robert Dijkgraf added: “Femicide is the worst manifestation of gender inequality. This violence has its roots in social norms in our society regarding how men and women treat each other. As Minister of Education, Culture and Science with responsibility for emancipation, I am pleased to see this action plan to tackle femicide. I would like to thank the families of victims of femicide for their continued commitment over the years to put this issue on the political agenda and for their important contribution to this plan. I believe that we all have a responsibility to continue working to break down gender stereotypes and eliminate power imbalances. By doing so, we will contribute to the emancipation and safety of women.”
red flag
In most cases of murder and manslaughter of women, the perpetrator is a (ex-)partner or a family member. That is why the approach to femicide will continue to be based on that to domestic violence, with an additional focus on increasing expertise in femicide and cooperation between the relevant parties. The plan consists of 4 pillars, in which 10 priorities are identified, which will be addressed as a priority over the next 2 years. It is important to improve our ability to recognize signs or so-called red flags that may indicate femicide, such as stalking, intimate terrorism or threats. In this regard, raising awareness and providing clear prospects for action are crucial for professionals, potential victims and bystanders. Whenever there is a suspicion or signal of violence or stalking, an appropriate and, above all, timely response is crucial, both in terms of protecting victims and dealing with perpetrators. Priorities include improving the criminal justice approach to psychological violence and the assistance provided to victims.
Facts and figures about femicide
Femicide affects women from all walks of life and is not related to religion or economic status. Femicide often occurs in situations of inequality, coercion and control. According to Statistics Netherlands (Central Statistics Bureau(CBS) Of the 217 women killed between 2018 and 2022, 172 were killed by perpetrators from their family circle. This is equivalent to nearly 80%. In the same period, the number of victims killed each year has not decreased. This highlights the importance of the action plan to stop femicide. The plan will be adapted for implementation at regional and local levels in collaboration with municipalities, regional authorities and parties on the ground.
If you would like more information on recognising the signs of femicide, or you are worried about someone you know, please call or chat Stay safe at home.
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