Omrop Fryslân Youth care institution Woodbrookers in Kortehemmen
In association with
Omrop Fryslân
NOS Nieuws•vandaag, 12:24
Several former clients want to file a report against the Woodbrookers youth care institution in Kortehemmen, according to a tour of Omrop Fryslân. The reason is a critical report about abuses at the institution.
The treatment center, which falls under Youth Aid Friesland, came under controversy a few months ago after the report showed that children sometimes spent the night in the isolation cell and were restrained with force or pain stimuli.
At least fourteen former clients want to file a report against the institution or its employees, writes Omrop Fryslân. According to the regional broadcaster, it appears that there are currently two reports, but that twelve former clients are preparing a report. But filing a report against a youth care institution is not easy, they say.
Problems with reporting
Several former clients wrote in an open letter to Youth Aid Friesland that there are people who have been waiting for their files for a year and a half. If they do receive a file, they say they regularly miss important parts.
After obtaining the complete file, it must be determined whether the report is aimed at the institution, at Jeugdhulp Friesland or at individuals. The latter can be difficult because there was a lot of staff turnover at Woodbrookers.
According to the regional broadcaster, the letter from the former clients states that they have also requested the names of the employees involved, but have not received anything so far.
Institution or person
According to Mariëlle Bruning, professor of Youth Law, it will be an interesting question what will happen to the reports. In criminal law, it can be difficult to obtain evidence for a criminal offense, she says.
“There must then be a causal link between the act or behavior and the damage to the victim. A causal link is more likely to be demonstrated between, for example, a group leader who commits violence against a young person, than between an institution/manager who does not directly acts.”
Bruning says that such reports have never happened before. “I know of no comparable cases in this area. There is every reason for the Public Prosecution Service to look into this very carefully. It is a government task to protect children against violence. It seems obvious to me that the cases mentioned fall under violence and child abuse. “
Complex case
The Public Prosecution Service now wants to talk to (former) clients first. According to the Public Prosecution Service, this was chosen because this is a complex case and they want to make reporting easier for (former) clients.
“The conversations are intended to clarify which incidents those involved want to report and whether there is a suspicion of a criminal offense or crimes,” a spokesperson told Omrop Fryslân. “Only then will there be a role for the police and the judiciary. This requires careful consideration.”
Hans du Prie, interim director at Youth Aid Friesland, states that everyone is free to report the crime. He is not aware of any substantive information about this. According to Du Prie, we are working hard on improvements and new treatment initiatives. “That’s a work in progress.” Former clients are also being contacted. They are invited to talk about their experiences and to contribute ideas.
Setting closes
Since 2010, Woodbrookers has been caring for Frisian young people aged 12 to 18 with psychological or behavioral problems. Last year, the cabinet decided that closed youth care institutions, such as Woodbrookers, must close their doors by 2030 at the latest.
In recent years, criticism of these types of treatment centers has grown, because the psychological problems of young people are said to only increase. In October, Jeugdhulp Friesland announced that it would close Woodbrookers more quickly. Director Johan Krul also apologized for the abuses. A day later he resigned himself.
2023-12-11 11:24:01
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