Systemic abuses revealed in child care institutions

A few months of investigation has revealed structural, systemic child abuse in childcare institutions, according to the commission-De Winter. The commission has already received 70 reports, a remarkably high number given that no reporting center has been set up yet. Commission chairperson Micha de Winter revealed this in an interview with RTV Utrecht. The commission was officially established on Thursday, but has been doing preliminary investigation since September. The goal was to establish whether there is a scientific basis to launch a large investigation. During the pre-investigation, the commission examined the archives of various institutions. "It's tough what we've seen so far. It's long lasting, it has much impact on the rest of your life." De Winter said to the broadcaster. "Humiliation, neglect, but also physical violence, throwing down the stairs, locking up and striking. In fact, it very often happens together. It almost never happens that, for example, sexual violence occurs alone, it is often part of a whole pattern of violence." De Winter hopes that a full investigation will be launched after the preliminary investigation has been completed, stressing that abuses in child care can leave deep traces in the lives involved. "It is worth it. These stories deserve recognition", De Winter said to RTV Utrecht. "Many people are only now beginning to realize that, for example, their sexual or behavioral problems are caused by what went wrong in institutions."