Politics · Netherlands · 1 hr ago
Dutch domestic violence hotline warns it cannot handle rising reports
The Dutch agency Veilig Thuis says it cannot keep up with reports of possible domestic violence and child abuse.
It advises people and investigates concerns, and received 136,000 reports last year.
The law says reports must be addressed within five days, but about half have been delayed in recent years, with people now waiting an average of around two months.
Urgent cases involving immediate danger are handled at once, without joining the waiting list.
The agency says reports are rising and cases are becoming more complex, while shortages across care services add to the pressure.
It says government funding is the only solution and warns it cannot ensure every safety concern is addressed in time.
The Dutch organization Veilig Thuis says it cannot keep up with rising reports of domestic violence and child abuse.
It says reports are becoming more complex while staff shortages affect care services.
Last year, Veilig Thuis received 136,000 reports, and people now wait an average of about two months for action.
The organization says it cannot guarantee that every sign of danger will be addressed in time.
It says more government funding is the only solution.
- Who
- Veilig Thuis, the Dutch organization that advises on and investigates reports of domestic violence and child abuse.
- What
- The organization warns that rising reports and staffing shortages mean it cannot handle all cases promptly.
- When
- The article was published on October 13, 2026. It says the figures for reports refer to last year.
- Where
- The Netherlands.
- Why
- Reports are increasing and cases are becoming more complex, while shortages across care services add to delays.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Veilig Thuis received 136,000 reports.
The waiting list in Zeeland had more than 30 reports.
The waiting list in Zeeland has nearly 400 reports, and people wait an average of about two months.
NOS published the warning from Veilig Thuis about its growing workload.
- Reports last year
- 136,000
- Reports with no previous involvement
- More than 90,000 last year
- Average wait
- About two months
- Legal time limit
- A report should be taken up within five days
- Zeeland waiting list
- Nearly 400 reports now, compared with more than 30 at the beginning of the year
What people are saying
We cannot get through them; this cannot go on.
At this moment we cannot guarantee that we can address all signs of danger in time.
Every day when I start up the computer, I see the number of reports getting bigger.







