What is domestic violence?
Domestic violence is violence that takes place in the home, committed by partners, parents, children, other family members or friends. Domestic violence can affect anyone; women and men, children and older people.
Offenders, victims and witnesses come from every level of society and all cultural backgrounds. And every one of them has a problem with domestic violence.

Domestic violence can take various forms: partner abuse, child abuse and the abuse of older people at home or in family circles. It can be physical, sexual or psychological. Other terms include: wife-beating or violence behind closed doors.

Domestic violence cannot and must not be tolerated. It is a punishable offence. You have the right to stand up for yourself.

Support Office for Domestic Violence
Victims, offenders and other people affected by domestic violence can contact the Support Office for Domestic Violence (Steunpunt Huiselijk Geweld) for information, advice and support. In situations of immediate and/or possible danger, the Support Office can help you to find a place in a women’s shelter (for women and children)
If you want, you can make an appointment with your local Support Office.
All support is aimed at helping the family as a whole. You can come to the Support Office alone or with your partner to try to find a way of stopping the violence. Or you can make use of the broad network of walk-in support facilities.
The Support Office for Domestic Violence has a national telephone number:
0900 1262626
You will be asked to enter the numbers of your postcode before being connected with your local Support Office.
Alternatively, you can call one of the Support Offices directly.
The numbers are protected so they will not appear on your telephone bill.
You can also call anonymously.

Telephone numbers for local Support:

Amsterdam
020 611 60 22
Monday to Friday from 8.30 – 17.30
Only to be used for emergencies outside office hours and at weekends

Flevoland
0900 202 06 34
Monday to Friday from 8.30 – 17.30
Only to be used for emergencies outside office hours and at weekends

Zaanstreek-Waterland / Zaandam
075 650 41 58
Monday to Friday from 9.00 – 16.00

Noord-Kennemerland / Alkmaar
072 562 55 11
Monday to Friday from 9.00 – 17.00

Midden- en Zuid-Kennemerland / Haarlem
023 547 29 99