Helping helpers

Victim Support Netherlands helps victims. What if we supported those around the victim? What do they need to help?

In the Netherlands, many people become victims of crimes, traffic accidents and calamities every year. In 2021, Slachtofferhulp Nederland (SHN) helped 133,000 victims. Unfortunately not all of them. What if we would focused on a victim’s environment? Who are these potential helpers and what do they need?

Victim Support Netherlands
Slachtofferhulp Nederland
Utrecht
2019 - 2020

Mapping the entire context

Victims are not alone. Family and friends play an important role in dealing with an incident. As do neighbourhood police officers, GPs and and study counsellors. But what do they need to help a victim properly?

To find out, we went into research and spoke to lots of people. From professionals such as police officers and deans to students and visitors to community centres.

We learned that people need support in recognising and dealing with victimisation. But also that they experience barriers in giving help.Victims, in turn, find it precisely difficult to ask for and accept help. Spotting victimisation and then knowing what to do, that is the key to success. That is why we have invested in an (online) platform for professionals. This contains tips and roadmaps, advice on referrals and training. Beyond the horizon, there is still a huge opportunity to play a role in education. Because how great would it be if everyone in the Netherlands became skilled in recognising victimisation and then being able to really help.
Methods
Field research
Interviews
Prototyping
Co-creation
Workshops
Business Model Innovation
Experimenting with prototypes

With a challenge as difficult to grasp as this one, it is important to start exploratively. After all, there is no single target group. By experimenting with prototype solutions, it quickly becomes clear who you can support with new services.

And with a bit of luck, like here, you will discover where your organisation can play a significant new role.

Design in
the service
of people