Victim of violence
Have you been a victim of sexual or other violence abroad? Find out what to do and how the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can advise and support you.
What to do if you have been a victim of violence
Take the following steps if you have been a victim of violence abroad:
Try and find a safe place.
Go to a doctor or a hospital, and ask a doctor to write a medical statement. If you need help, for instance because you don’t speak the language or don’t know where to go, contact the Dutch embassy or consulate. You can see how to contact the Dutch embassy or consulate further down the page.
File a report with the local police. Be aware that in some countries this may entail risks. The Dutch embassy or consulate can advise you on what to do.
What to do if you have been a victim of sexual violence
Take the following steps if you have been a victim of sexual violence abroad:
- Try and find a safe place.
- Report the incident to the local police. Be aware that in some countries this may entail risks. The Dutch embassy or consulate can advise you on what to do. You can see how to contact the Dutch embassy or consulate further down the page.
- If you decide to report the incident to the police, forensic evidence and forensic medical evidence may need to be gathered for a criminal investigation. A medical examination may also be required to check for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or pregnancy. If you need support or advice, contact the Dutch embassy or consulate.
- If you need support for physical injuries or psychological distress, you can contact the Sexual Assault Center (CDG).
Advice and support from the Dutch embassy or consulate
You can ask for help from the Dutch embassy or consulate:
- by telephone: call the Ministry of Foreign Affairs NetherlandsWorldwide contact centre on +31 247 247 247, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- via WhatsApp: add +31 6 82 38 77 96, the mobile phone number for the NetherlandsWorldwide contact centre, to your contacts on your smartphone and then send us a message. We aim to respond within 30 minutes. Please note: you cannot call or text (SMS) us on this number.
- via the NetherlandsWorldwide contact form. Bear in mind it can take up to 2 weeks to receive a reply. If you need a faster reply, please select one of the other contact options.
Help for someone else
You can contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs if a friend or family member has been a victim of violence abroad. Call the NetherlandsWorldwide contact centre on +31 247 247 247.
If you need support
If you are having trouble coping after what has happened, the Dutch embassy or consulate can refer you to victim support in the country where you are staying.
If you are back in the Netherlands, you can contact Victim Support Netherlands.
Contact Victim Support Netherlands
Compensation
If what happened has caused you serious physical or mental harm, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund can help you claim compensation. The fund can only do this if the incident occurred in another European Union country.
Find out how to contact the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund
Contact
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.