The Committee on Health, Welfare, and Sport will hold a hearing on March 3 regarding the investigation into the foster care of an abused girl in Vlaardingen. Various organizations have been invited to participate. You can follow the hearing from 11:00 AM via the livestream and the Debat Direct app.
At the end of May 2024, a then 10-year-old girl from Vlaardingen was hospitalized with severe injuries. Her foster parents were arrested on suspicion of attempted manslaughter and serious abuse. It is now clear that this girl will face the consequences of the abuse for the rest of her life and will require intensive care. The girl was placed out of home into a foster family. She has asked for help several times, to which there was no intervention.
Various Investigations
In addition to the criminal investigation into the foster parents, the Health and Youth Care Inspectorate (IGJ), the Justice and Security Inspectorate (Inspectie JenV), and the Education Inspectorate (IvhO) have investigated what happened within the organizations involved in the care of this girl. On January 30, 2025, the inspectorates published two reports.
Purpose of the Hearing
The purpose of the hearing is to gather information on how the abuse could occur while the girl was under the care of the Dutch state. The committee members want to know what is needed to prevent recurrence.
Plenary Debate
After the hearing on Monday, March 3, the House will hold a plenary debate on the issue, scheduled for Wednesday, March 5.
Hearing Program
11:00 – 11:45 AM: spokesperson for the girls family
• Martine Kamphuis, case manager from Victim Support Netherlands
11:50 AM – 12:35 PM: police
• Sander van de Koot, head of operations of the Rotterdam unit
1:00 – 1:45 PM: Safe Home
• Tom Pietermans, National Network Safe Home (LNVT)
• Ernie van Dooren, interim director Safe Home Rotterdam Rijnmond
1:50 – 2:35 PM: foster care agency Enver
• Esther Reinhard, director
• Mardjan Seighali, chairman of the supervisory board
2:40 – 3:25 PM: William Schrikker Foundation
• Pim Croiset van Uchelen, chairman of the Board of Directors of Partners for Youth
• Fred Teeven, chairman of the Supervisory Board of Partners for Youth
What is a Hearing?
Parliamentary committees regularly organize hearings and round-table discussions. They ask experts and/or stakeholders to provide more information on a subject. In a hearing, the committee speaks with one person at a time; in a round-table discussion, multiple people are present who can also respond to each other.
Follow Live and Read More
- View the inspection reports and other documents related to this hearing;
- Follow the hearing on Monday, March 3 from 11:00 AM;
- Follow the plenary debate on Wednesday, March 5.