Verwey-Jonker Institute
Research into social issues
Verwey-Jonker Institute
Kromme Nieuwegracht 6
3512 HG Utrecht
T: (030) 230 07 99
F: (030) 230 06 83
The Utrecht-based Verwey-Jonker Institute carries out policy-strategic and evaluative research into social issues. Three perspectives are central in our research: that of citizens, of institutions and of governments. The outcomes of the research can be employed to make adjustments in the policies of organisations and governments. By means of research, our institute seeks to encourage the social participation of citizens and contribute to solving social problems.
Scientific and independent
The institute is an autonomous organisation and works independently, commissioned by third parties. These can be institutions for care, welfare, housing, employment or health, ministries, provinces or municipalities. Organisations such as educational institutions, the media, and a variety of social organisations and companies turn to our institute as well, in order to be informed about our research results.
We receive a basic subsidy from the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sports. As a result of this, we can also work for customers who are not likely to seek scientifically based advice or research: patients' organisations, organisations for elderly people or people entitled to social benefits. However, more then 80% of our yearly budget comes from other sources at national and European levels.
Taking a broad perspective
The research domain of the Verwey-Jonker Institute covers a great variety and diversity of areas. We carry out research into areas such as health care, social security, safety, education, housing, youth, welfare work and social and administrative innovations.
Our research field is divided into five programmes:
1. Liveability and social integration,
2. Personal and social safety,
3. Youth and education,
4. Social participation and social security,
5. Social care and health.
In order to remain attentive to new developments, the Verwey-Jonker Institute pays specific attention to topical issues:
- Internationalisation,
- Social quality & ICT,
- Multicultural society,
- Accountability,
- Social competence and social capital,
- Integrality,
- Professionalism.
A personal approach
The researchers of the Verwey-Jonker Institute are involved and have a thorough scientific knowledge of affairs. The institute employs a research approach that preferably comprises several methods of data collection and analysis, both quantitative and qualitative. In addition to this, the institute has built up a considerable amount of expertise in the area of seeking contact with vulnerable groups.
E-mail address for general information:
Services available in the Netherlands for young persons who have experienced sexual abuse and sexual violence
National report for the Netherlands Daphne project
ISBN 90-5830-035-8, 98 pag. € 9,50
All the support, services and treatment, which young people with experiences of sexual abuse could possibly need, seem in principle available in the Dutch service providing network. Much less certainty can be obtained about the accessibility, the quality and the effectiveness of the service provision for these young people. It is clear that only part of them actually receive some sort of formal support and help, even though many of them could benefit from it. Prevalence data and needs assessments that would allow precise estimates, are missing, but it can nevertheless be inferred that the discrepancy between potential use and actual use is considerable.
These were findings obtained in an inventory (mapping) of the service network available in The Netherlands for young people who experienced sexual abuse and violence.
The inventory was made as part of an international project, that under the Daphne Initiative of the European Union, was executed in the United Kingdom, Italy and The Netherlands. In addition to the mapping exercise, based on information obtained from young people from the target group and key informants of the service network, a first global insight was obtained in the accessibility and effectiveness of the services.
The researchers identified several factors, which possibly hamper and obstruct accessibility and effectiveness. They found among others: the lack of specific and recognisable service programs for young persons with sexual abuse experiences, bureaucratic intake procedures, waiting lists, insufficient specific training and experience of service personnel and insufficient co-operation of service providers within a certain region. More research will be needed to collect sufficient evidence for more precise conclusions about each of these factors.
The report concludes with provisional recommendations for improvements in the service network and specific recommendations for further research.