🌷 Domestic Violence | Guidance in the Netherlands
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence in the Netherlands, know that support is available — including for people without documentation.
Below, a practical and updated step-by-step guide to act safely:
✅ 1. Immediate danger
📞 Call 112
• Use in case of imminent risk or injury.
• The police can intervene immediately to protect you and your children.
🧭 2. Seek specialized guidance in all cases of domestic violence.
📞 Veilig Thuis (Domestic Violence Support Line):
0800 2000 (free and anonymous call)
• 24-hour service, also in English — say: “Do you speak English?”
🌐 Website: www.veiligthuis.nl
👉🏽Click on “Ik zoek hulp” (I’m looking for help)
👉🏽 Ask for help before the situation gets worse, don’t wait for that to happen.
And get informed about the need to notify the police.
📝 3. Document the episodes safely.
• Store records outside the home or in the cloud:
Dates and types of abuse (physical, psychological, sexual, financial)
Witnesses and photos (if possible)
Keep passports (yours and your children’s) in a safe and easily accessible place.
❗ Never hand over your documents to another person.
🛡️ 4. Psychological and legal support
• There are free or subsidized services, including for expatriates:
Shelters (vrouwenopvang)
Specialized lawyers (protective measures, custody, separation)
• You can count on:
Compasso Social (www.compassocial.nl): guidance on visas, integration, and social rights, with humanized support in Portuguese, Spanish, or Dutch
Florescer Holanda (www.florescer.nl): psychosocial support with a multidisciplinary team for Portuguese, English, Spanish, and Dutch speakers
🇧🇷 For Brazilians:
• Notify the Consulate General of Brazil in Amsterdam:
Emergency cases
24h WhatsApp duty line: +31 6 5155 4836
• Request assistance:
Consular Assistance (emergencies):
Psychosocial Assistance:
Legal Guidance:
Citizenship Council:
Legal Issues and Consular Affairs Working Group | Guidance and Support in the Netherlands – CCPB
📢 Clearly state that this is an urgent and vulnerable case.
🏠 5. Emergency shelter (vrouwenopvang)
• If you need to leave home, there are safe places with support also for women with children.
• Access is only possible with the indication and support of Veilig Thuis or the police.
• The shelter will assess the case, and not all cases qualify for shelter.
• The police may initiate the temporary removal of the aggressor from the home and begin monitoring by trained professionals to help.
🌍 6. Immigrants and expatriates also have rights
• Even with a visa linked to your partner, it is possible to apply for independent residence in cases of violence.
• Contact the IND (Immigration and Naturalization) or a lawyer.
• Compasso Social can also support this process.
🤝 7. Support in Portuguese or English
• Count on:
Compasso Social: support with documentation and integration
Florescer Holanda: psychosocial, emotional, and mental health support
We hope this information is helpful during this difficult time. You are not alone. 💛
Florescer Holanda
Health, Well-Being, and Culture