Samenvatting

The present study concerns an exploration of the nature and extent of support provided by Victim Support Netherlands (in Dutch: SHN) in the event of domestic violence, using microdata obtained from the National Statistical Institute in the Netherlands. More specifically, it provides insight into the referral to Victim Support Netherlands (by an external party, the police, or on the victim’s own initiative), whether victims receive follow-up support within SHN, and what the (demographic) predictors are for the follow-up support. Results show that of the small group of domestic violence victims who report to SHN, three quarters receive follow-up help from SHN. In addition, the chance of receiving follow-up help was greater for women than for men, and smaller for victims whose parent(s) have a migration background and in the case of multiple types of domestic violence. Moreover, the main form of help seems to be receiving information and legal assistance. Insights into victim characteristics and types of assistance at Victim Support Netherlands contribute to a better understanding of the reach of support agencies and can therefore be used to make recommendations about the formal aid and support offered to victims of domestic violence.