Advocating Against Female Violence
In a bid to combat the escalating issue of violence against women, the Dutch government revealed the "Stop Femicide" action plan last June. The plan aims to identify early warning signs and systematically pursue them, following an increase in attacks on women reported by Veilig Thuis, the national counseling and reporting center for domestic violence.
The plan encompasses training for police, health services, and justice systems, as well as improved statistical tracking, with ten million euros allocated annually. This initiative was unveiled in response to the surge in female victims in 2022, when the number rose from 38 to 48.
The march against violence against women, organized by the feminist initiative Dolle Minas, took place last Sunday in Rotterdam. The event was prompted by two recent femicides: one on July 16 in Gouda and another on July 18 in Vlijmen. Femicides are not statistically recorded separately, and the dark figure is likely higher.
Six out of ten women murdered in the last five years had a former or current partner as the perpetrator, according to the Dutch Central Bureau of Statistics. In the Gouda case, the ex-husband was the perpetrator, while in the Vlijmen case, the life partner was the suspect.
The verdict in the Jihaneve case, which sentenced the perpetrator to five years in prison followed by TBS, a Dutch measure for mentally ill offenders, sparked a nationwide debate about the handling of femicides in the Netherlands. The prosecution demanded a higher sentence, but the court found the perpetrator not fully accountable.
Despite extensive searches, no specific "Stop Femicide" action plan by the Dutch government could be found in August 2025. The available information mostly covers actions and initiatives on femicide and gender-based violence from other countries and organizations in Europe and Africa but not the Netherlands directly.
However, the European Family Justice Centers Alliance (EFJCA) in Belgium is organizing events and supporting initiatives related to "STOP-FEMINICIDE" laws, including a webinar in April 2025 explaining the Belgian initiative. This is distinct from any Dutch government action plan.
For the latest and specific details on the Dutch "Stop Femicide" action plan, an official Dutch government website or authoritative Dutch policy source would need to be consulted directly.
- The Dutch government's "Stop Femicide" action plan, unrevealed in August 2025, is aimed at combating violence against women, focusing on early warning signs, systemic pursuit, and increased funding for training in police, health services, and justice systems.
- Although the exact details of the Dutch "Stop Femicide" action plan are unclear, it is designed to address the rising number of female victims, with incidents skyrocketing from 38 to 48 in 2022.
- The Dutch "Stop Femicide" action plan encompasses improved statistical tracking, seeking to shed light on the dark figure of unreported femicides.
- Parallel to the lack of specific information on the Dutch "Stop Femicide" action plan, the European Family Justice Centers Alliance in Belgium is actively organizing events and supporting initiatives related to "STOP-FEMINICIDE" laws.
