If you want to apply for compensation, you should know that there are some conditions for that.
The perpetrator intentionally (deliberately) used violence against you, or the perpetrator threatened violence. So it was not an accident. Or the perpetrator had sexual contact with you when you did not want it.
The crime has caused you serious physical or psychological problems. We call this ‘injury’. For example, you have had an operation, or you have been to a medical specialist or psychologist for treatment. So it will take a long time for you to get better. Or you may not get better at all.
The violent or sexual crime happened in the Netherlands. Or on board a Dutch plane or Dutch boat. If you do not live in the Netherlands, but were the victim of a violent or sexual crime in the Netherlands, you can also apply for an allowance.
We look at your own role in the crime. For example, did you use force first or did you challenge the other person? Or did you participate in a criminal activity such as drug trafficking? Then you might not get any money, or a lower amount.
If you have received compensation from the perpetrator or an insurance company, this amount will be deducted from our compensation.
Your application must reach us within 10 years of the violent or sexual crime. If you apply for the compensation later, you can only do so if you have a good reason. If you were under 18 when the crime happened, the 10-year period starts on your 18th birthday.
In a violent crime, someone has intentionally (i.e. deliberately) used violence, or threatened violence. The intention was to hurt or injure the victim. Examples of violent crimes include:
The Sexual Crimes Act has existed since 1 July 2024. Under that Act, it is a criminal offence to have sexual contact with someone who does not want it.
Did someone know that the other person did not want sexual contact? Or should or could they have known that the other person did not want sexual contact? Then it is a sexual crime.