Sexual violence

Prevention of sexual violence is of the utmost importance. Next to that support is needed of both victims of sexual violence and adolescent first offenders. The fight against homophobia needs attention.

Health care for victims of sexual violence is delivered by specialised social workers (although mainstreamed recently) and in mental health care settings. It is fully financially covered by legal measures or health insurances. Prevention of sexual violence is increasingly made part of in- and out of -school sex education. Adolescent first offenders, when they meet with legal measures, may get imposed an educational programme, focused on attitudes and skills aimed at preventing a repetition of the offense. These Mandatory Educational Programmes for Young Sex Offenders are delivered by Rutgers Nisso Groep.

Homosexuality is made a topic by many (but not all..) teachers of school-based sex education. Specialised services for homosexual men and women have long been available in the larger cities. The Ministry of Education has recently suggested additional measures to serve the emancipation of homosexual men and women and to fight homophobia. Possibilities mentioned are to provide schools with guidelines on how to deal with homosexuality or to provide financial support to increase homo-friendliness specifically among groups that are noted for homo-negativity.