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Directory of International Crime Victim Compensation Programs 2004 - 2005
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The Netherlands

The Netherlands has a crime victim compensation program to provide financial compensation for victims of violent or personal crime.

Eligibility Requirements

Report to police. Within 3 years; exceptions are made.

Filing period. No time limit.

Foreign citizen eligibility. Citizens of foreign countries are eligible to apply for compensation.

Claimants

• Victims of violent or personal crime who suffer serious injuries
   
• Dependents of homicide victims

Procedures

The application form for state compensation is available in Dutch only and may be requested in writing from the Netherlands Victim Support Organization at the address given below or by telephone at 070-4142000. Volunteers and staff of the Netherlands Victim Support organization can assist victims with submitting an application for compensation. On average, it takes about 1 year to close a case, but it might take longer for a crime victim to receive a decision on compensation. The victim receives compensation 6 weeks after notification.

Benefits and Award Limits

Material damage of EUR22.700,00, immaterial damage (not for dependents of deceased victims) of EUR9.100,00.

Compensable costs

• Medical expenses
   
• Mental health expenses
   
• Lost wages for disabled victims
   
• Lost support for dependents of homicide victims
   
• Funeral expenses
   
• Travel expenses
   
• Rehabilitation for disabled victims
   
• Services to replace work in the home previously performed by the victim
   
• Removal expenses
   
• Legal aid
   
• Any other expense reasonably related to the injury

Emergency awards. The program makes emergency awards when the request meets all of the eligibility conditions (except documentation of exact extent of damage) and when good reason for expediting payment exists.

Funding sources. The program is funded by the national government and the Ministry of Justice.

Contact Information

Commissie Schadefonds Geweldsmisdrijven (Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund)
P.O. Box 1947, 2280 DX RIJSWIJK, The Netherlands
or
Sir Winston Churchillaan 295B, 2288 DC RIJSWIJK, The Netherlands
Telephone: 01131-70-414 2000
Fax: 01131-70-414 2001
E-mail: info@schadefonds.nl
Internet: www.schadefonds.nl

Languages used—
• On application forms: Dutch
• In correspondence: Dutch
• By telephone: Dutch, English

For victim support and assistance with the compensation application process, contact

Slachtofferhulp Nederland (The Netherlands Victim Support), P.O. Box 14208, 3508 SH Utrecht, The Netherlands
Telephone: (+31) 30-234-0116
Fax: (+31) 30-231-7655
E-mail: lbs@slachtofferhulp.nl
Internet: www.slachtofferhulp.nl

Languages used—
• On application forms: Dutch
• In correspondence: Dutch, English, French
• By telephone: Dutch, English, French

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