The police and the Public Prosecution Service (OM) are implementing enhanced privacy protections for crime victims and witnesses, effective July 1st. This decision follows the enactment of new legislation that limits the personal data included in reports to the victim’s name and date of birth, deemed the minimum necessary for identification.

The new policy aims to safeguard individuals from potential harm and intimidation by restricting access to sensitive information. This change comes after years of advocacy from organizations like Victim Support Netherlands, which has highlighted cases where victims’ personal data, readily available in police reports, led to fear and harassment.

Moving forward, indictments, claims, and other legal documents will exclude a victim’s address, place of residence, telephone number, email address, place and country of birth, and citizen service number. Such information will only be included if the Public Prosecution Service deems it “reasonably important” for a court decision, such as in cases involving burglary. This measure extends protection not only to victims but also to witnesses, acknowledging that the disclosure of their personal data can also compromise their safety and privacy.

While the privacy of suspects is generally protected, victims’ and witnesses’ data has often been included in reports accessible to the suspect and their lawyer. Victim Support Netherlands has actively campaigned for this policy change for five years, citing numerous instances where victims experienced fear and anxiety due to the exposure of their personal information. This new measure is a welcome step towards ensuring the safety and well-being of those who have been affected by crime.

Victim advocates acknowledge the positive impact of the new policy while also emphasizing the need for continued vigilance. Concerns remain about the ease with which individuals can be located online, even with limited information. Additional measures, both within and outside of court documents, are being advocated to further protect victims’ privacy. Victim Support Netherlands is pushing for the removal of the reporter’s date of birth from files unless it is specifically relevant to the case, such as in sex offenses involving minors.

Existing protocols already allow victims to provide statements or file reports anonymously, subject to assessment by the police and the Public Prosecution Service. The enhanced privacy measures represent a significant stride in protecting victims and witnesses from potential harm and promoting their willingness to come forward and report crimes.