Dutch D66 pushes law to let children speak without parental consent in abuse cases
D66 lawmakers propose a bill allowing professionals to interview children directly when serious abuse is suspected, even without parental approval.
D66 is advancing a legislative initiative to make it easier for authorities to talk directly to children when there are strong indications of maltreatment. The bill, authored by MPs Marijke Synhaeve and Hanneke van der Werf, would permit professionals to interview a child without first obtaining parental consent, especially if parents might be perpetrators. Citing past failures in cases such as the Stadskanaal torture incident and the Vlaardingen foster-care abuse, the proposal stresses the need for swift, child-focused action.
It adopts the Barnahus framework, mandating a multidisciplinary team—including medical, social-care, safety and justice experts—to interview the child within 48 hours and outline protection and possible criminal measures. The draft is currently open for comments from relevant organisations before it is formally submitted to the Tweede Kamer for consideration.
Why it matters
It could change how child abuse is investigated in the Netherlands, giving victims faster protection and a stronger voice.
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