Last year more people than ever requested help via the online chat platform ‘Nu praat ik ervover’ (I will talk about it now). ‘Nu praat ik ervover’ offers support to children and young people that have been the victims of physical or sexual abuse. During the past 3 years the number of people contacting the online chat service has risen by 18%. The ease with which the chat service can be accessed and the anonymity that it provides mean that it reaches those that other support and counselling services are unable to.
Growing number of young people that have been the victim of physical or sexual abuse are seeking online help
Published:
A growing number of children and young people are are finding their way to the online chat services provided by ‘Nu praat ik ervover’. In its annual report the service says that 928 individuals contacted it last year and 1,407 chat sessions were held. In 2023 787 people contacted ‘Nu praat ik ervover’. The platform is mainly aimed at young people experiencing physical abuse or sexual violence.
The platform’s Director Karolien François told VRT News that “We see that the number of chat session and people contacting us is increasing year by year and that this has come about with limited campaign resources”. says Karolien François, coordinator of ‘Nu praat ik ervover’.
“During the past 3 years the number of users increased by 18%. If the trend continues, by 2028 we will have double the number of users”.
According to 2022 figures from the Centre for the Victims of Child Abuse, at least 1 child in 20 is a victim of severe child abuse. Meanwhile, more than half of all adults have experienced some form of sexual violence.
Seeking help online
Several studies show that children and young people that are experiencing sexual or physical abuse are more likely to seek help online, rather than talking to someone face to face. This is partly due to the ease with which online help can be accessed.
“Even people that are already in therapy or in residential care sometimes talk to us about what they are going through or have gone through. They feel safer online”, Karolien François says.
The anonymity with which a person can asked for help is also a factor. “As people can choose their own ‘nickname’ and have the option to log off whenever they want, they have complete control over the conversation. Thanks to all this we are able to reach a group that does not dare to take the step towards counselling.
Buddies
Anna De Laat is the head of ‘Nu praat ik ervover’s’ buddy project. She told VRT News that not everyone that shares their story via chat service immediately feels understood. The buddy project aims to provide someone to offer victims sympathy, a listening ear and support.
“A buddy is themself a survivor of child abuse, in whatever form. Through their own experience the buddy offers support to victims of physical or sexual abuse.”
“We aim to let victims know that they are not alone and we can look for a solution together”, Anna De Laat told VRT News.