Reports of sexual violence in the Netherlands rise 21% for third consecutive year

Reports from victims of sexual violence rose by 21 percent in 2025, according to the annual report released Tuesday by the Center for Sexual Violence (CSG). The organization operates 16 centers across the Netherlands, where victims can access medical care, psychological support, and other forms of assistance.

According to managing director Enid van Ommeren, 2025 was the third consecutive year in which the number of reports rose by roughly 20 percent. “We believe this is only the tip of the iceberg,” she said, suggesting that many cases of sexual violence still go unreported.

The Center for Sexual Violence received 4,640 reports in 2025, including 2,648 involving incidents that had taken place within the previous week. Van Ommeren said that reporting within seven days is crucial because it allows investigators to preserve forensic evidence.

Van Ommeren believes the rise in reports reflects increasing confidence among victims in the services provided by the Center for Sexual Violence. The organization brings together medical staff, psychologists, police officers, and trauma experts in one place, allowing victims to recount their experience only once. “The growing number of reports demonstrates just how important the Center for Sexual Violence has become for our society,” she said.