Netherlands to launch aid center for cult victims
The Dutch government is set to launch a new assistance platform for victims of sects and coercive group cultures later this year. The platform, which will serve as both a resource hub and a referral service, will work closely with law enforcement and the judiciary.
The initiative comes in response to a recent investigation by Nederlands Dagblad, which uncovered alarming cases of psychological manipulation and sexual abuse within the private “Twee aan Twee” movement. This religious group, which has hundreds of followers in the Netherlands, has faced significant criticism in the United States due to widespread abuse scandals. Former members of the group shared their traumatic experiences of isolation and coercion, with some revealing accounts of sexual abuse committed by a now-deceased leader of the movement.
One victim, who was a teenager at the time, described how he was assaulted by an older church leader shortly after his baptism. The incidents of sexual misconduct involving this leader were reportedly known within the movement, but no action was taken to address them.
In response, Teun Struycken, the Dutch Secretary of State for Legal Protection, acknowledged the need for specialized support for individuals affected by sectarian groups. “Sectarian groups pose a heightened risk of systematic and unpunished abuse due to their hierarchical structure, secrecy, and ideology,” he stated.
The government previously operated a dedicated reporting service for issues related to cults and coercive groups, known as Sektesignaal. However, this service was discontinued five years ago when its funding was cut, despite receiving over 100 calls from individuals reporting concerns in its final year. Since then, individuals have been required to report directly to the police.
Struycken emphasized that the new platform, which will be overseen by the expert center Fier, will not only provide support to victims but also coordinate with law enforcement to track trends and share information. The platform is expected to go live by the summer of 2025, with an accompanying campaign to raise public awareness.
The decision to re-establish a national resource for victims of sectarian abuse was spurred by ongoing concerns in the Tweede Kamer. Michiel van Nispen, a member of the SP party, has expressed his intention to hold the government accountable for its response to the Twee aan Twee movement and its activities in the Netherlands. He plans to submit formal questions to Struycken and calls for a thorough, independent investigation into the scope of the group’s operations and any associated abuses.
While the precise number of sects operating in the Netherlands remains unclear, the government is aware of at least 84 such groups. Independent estimates, however, suggest the number could be as high as 250. Experts, including Paul van Sasse van IJsselt, a professor of law and religion at the University of Groningen, argue that a centralized reporting service could provide greater visibility into these groups.
However, he stressed that the government must tread carefully when dealing with religious organizations due to the principle of freedom of association, intervening only when there is evidence of coercion or abuse.
