What can you expect if you go to the police to report sexual abuse in the Netherlands?
Call the police department to make an appointment. If you want a female officer ask for it.
You have to tell the story and answer questions. Take someone with you who can support you and think about what you are going to tell them beforehand.
You don’t need to answer questions about your sex life, the clothing you wore or past sexual experiences: these are irrelevant facts when it comes to abuse.
The police officer writes a report. Take your time to read it through before you sign it. If you have problems with the way it’s formulated say so.
Preserve evidence. Don’t bath (if you are ready to report to the police immediately), write down all the details you can remember, make pictures of injuries, talk to possible witnesses or to someone you spoke to right before or after it happened, keep ripped clothing or underwear with semen- or bloodstains (don’t tie up the bag in which you store it).
If you don’t hear anything after you have reported the sexual abuse you can phone the police officer you spoke to see if they are making any progress.
Reporting sexual abuse makes you stronger psychologically. But do take into account beforehand that you will have a long way to go while the outcome is uncertain.