Residents

Defence for Children International the Netherlands promotes the rights of the child in the Netherlands and worldwide. Defence for Children International provides information on the rights of children and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, investigates violations of these rights, and protects the collective and individual interests of children. Defence for Children International provides counsel and takes direct action on behalf of children whose rights are violated.

In Januardy 2003 Defence for Children International the Netherlands merged with ECPAT, the global organisation leading the fight against commercial sexual child exploitation. Defence for Children International - ECPAT has divided its activities in four main fields:
1. General promotion of the rights of the child
2. The fight against exploitation, abuse and neglect of children
3. Assistance for children in conflict with the law
4. Promotion of immigration policy and children's rights

Within these fields Defence for Children International - ECPAT undertakes activities related to information, education, lobbying, advocacy, study, research and other activities.Visit the website of Defence for Children-ECPAT

ICDI is a Dutch non-profit organisation with a world wide brief, and a focus on developing countries. ICDI promotes the well-being of children growing up in difficult circumstances. We work to improve the policies and practices which affect these children by assisting in the development of local capacity (of children, their communities, organizations, and authorities). We believe in the power of children and young people, supporting their rights and addressing the underlying causes for the problems they face.
Visit the website of International Child Development Initiatives (ICDI)

The Foundation for International Research on Working Children (IREWOC) was established in 1992 to conduct anthropological qualitative research on child labour, to raise awareness and influence policy concerning this complex issue. IREWOC's normative framework is based on established international agreements, particularly the ILO Conventions 138 and 182, and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

IREWOC conducts research on child labour issues on a global scale. It is unique in its use of anthropological qualitative research methods, providing in-depth knowledge of local perceptions, reasoning and opinions. Research projects in the past have focussed on Education, Child Trafficking, Child Labour Unions, Worst Forms, Child Agency and Rural Child Labour.

IREWOC responds to the ever-increasing demand for policy-relevant knowledge. Research is conducted in close collaboration with governmental and non-governmental organisations active in the field of child labour. Working directly with policy makers is the most effective way to close the gap between scientific research and policy design.
Visit the website of IREWOC

What exactly can the Child and Youth legal aid center do for you? We can help you with all your questions about law! For example when your parents are going to get divorced or when you are in a conflict at school or work you can come to us for help. But we can also help you when you got into trouble with the police. But of course also for a lot of other problems and questions. When you have a question about your rights and obligations, you can call or email us, send us a letter or you can visit us during one of the consultation hours.

How to reach us?
Call us: 071-5130530 (Tuesday and Wednesday between 3 pm and 5 pm or you can leave a message)
E-mail us: kirewi@planet.nl
Visit us: Hooglandsekerkgracht 17k Leiden (Tuesday and Wednesday between 3 pm and 5 pm, no appointment necessary)

Rights and obligations.
What exactly is a question about your rights or obligations? In the Netherlands we have many rules. Most of them are written down in a lawbook. The rules that are regulations, do apply for everybody, also for you. When you do something that is forbidden by law or when somebody does something to you that is forbidden by law, you can come to us. Also parents, grandparents and other people can ask us a question.

What do we do?
When you ask us a question we are going to find out what your rights and obligations are. We use the lawbook while doing that. We write you a letter with the answer to your question. We can send or email this letter. You always get an answer by letter, also when you called us. Most of the time you get your answer within two weeks. It is also a possibility to write a letter for you to your school, the police, the magistrate of the juvenile court, family guardian or your employer. We can help you explain your problem and tell them what your opinion is. We can help you, when it's possible by law, to submit your problem to the judge.

Free advice
Our advice is for free. If you don't want other people to know that you asked us something, it is possible to stay anonymous. You can possibly make a secret e-mail address or use a different name. We can sent the e-mail with the answer to the secret address. When you have a question that has nothing to do with rights and rules we can direct you to another organization that can help you answer your question.

Visit the website of the Child and Youth Legal Aid Center.

The Dutch Hotline combating Child Pornography on the Internet is an independent private foundation and was created at the initiative of Internet providers as well as individual Internet users. The main objective of the Hotline is to contribute to the reduction of the distribution of child abuse images via the Internet. Since the start of the Hotline the number of reports has increased enormously. In the past 10 years the Hotline has processed over 32.000 reports.  

Abuse of children on the internet can be divided into two areas: - To download and spread images and films of sexual abuse of children. - To make contact with children with the intention to abuse them sexually online and/or offline (grooming).  

The Dutch Hotline finds it important to raise awareness amongst Internet users about the fact that images of sexually abused children can be spread on the Internet. Furthermore should they come across any of such images users are encouraged to report to the Dutch Hotline and the police. In this way Internet users can contribute to the tracking down of distributors of images of sexually abused children, sexually abusers of children and they hence to the bringing to safety of the victims.  

The Dutch Hotline educates Internet users about responsible use of the Internet. Through the website www.surfsafe.nl the Dutch Hotline wishes to raise awareness amongst children and parents about the risks of the Internet. The website www.helpwanted.nl is aimed at youngsters and contains a clear reporting form, a chatapplication and information about safe Internet usage.

The suffering of children who have been sexually abused for the production of images and films is beyond imagination. A child not only suffers physically but also mentally. The Hotline continues to contribute to the reduction of sexual abuse of children on the Internet.

Visit the website of Meldpunt Kinderpornografie