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CHILD / YOUNG PERSON TESTIMONY — Beyond Conflict

Belgium & Netherlands · Family Court Accountability Campaign

For young people who experienced family court or child protection services

This form is for young people or adults who, as children, were involved in family court or child protection proceedings in Belgium or the Netherlands.


The same pattern appears across hundreds of cases:

—  A child or protective parent discloses abuse

—  The abuser uses counter-allegations such as "parental alienation"

—  The court shifts focus to the protective parent

—  Children are placed at risk and silenced

Your privacy is protected / Jouw privacy is beschermd / Votre vie privée est protégée

You may remain completely anonymous. You can use a first name, a pseudonym, or nothing at all. All responses are handled confidentially and stored securely. No identifying information will be shared publicly without your explicit consent.

Methodology: Each testimony is structured around themes recognized in United Nations Committee Against Torture reporting. Where possible, and only with the witness's consent, testimonies are privately cross-referenced with supporting documentation (court rulings, police reports, professional correspondence). The shadow report will distinguish corroborated testimonies from self-reported testimonies.

SECTION 1 · Consent and contact

1.  Do you give permission for your anonymised testimony to be used in a formal UN report?  *

1.  Do you give permission for your anonymised testimony to be used in a formal UN report?  *

2.  Do you consent to being contacted for follow-up? (optional)

This could include requesting deletion of your testimony, sharing additional support resources, or — only if you choose — sharing documents that support your testimony (e.g. a court ruling, police report, or email from your lawyer).
2.  Do you consent to being contacted for follow-up? (optional)

If yes, enter a secure contact method below

Email address (used only for the purposes you selected above — never published, never linked to your testimony publicly):

3.  Name or pseudonym:

4.Internal use only — Do you have any of the following documents you might be willing to share privately if asked?

(This will not be published and remains entirely voluntary)
4.Internal use only — Do you have any of the following documents you might be willing to share privately if asked?

5. How old were you when you first entered family court of children's services 

6. Are you currently in active family court proceedings or under children's services?

6. Are you currently in active family court proceedings or under children's services?

7.  How old are you now?

SECTION 2 · The abuse you experienced

1.  What type of abuse did you experience? 

1.  What type of abuse did you experience? 

2.  In your own words, describe the abuse you experienced 

3.  When did the abuse start, and what happened to you? 

SECTION 3 · What happened when it was reported

Each theme reflects a pattern recognised in UN torture reports. Include key facts only. You do not need to write perfectly — just honestly and clearly. Maximum 300 words per theme.

Theme 1 — Retaliation after reporting

Which authorities were told about the abuse? How did they treat you?

Include dates if you can, agencies involved (court, police, Jeugdhulp, child protection services, mediators, etc.)

Theme 2 — What happened after court or children's services got involved

Were you ignored? Were you made to live with or spend time with the person who abused you?

Describe what decisions were made about your living situation.

Theme 3 — Was your protective parent blamed?

Was your protective parent accused of parental alienation or described as mentally unfit?

Include whether they were labelled as 'uncooperative', 'hysterical', or falsely accused.

Theme 4 — Silencing and coercion

Were you told not to speak about what happened? Were you threatened if you talked?

Include any pressure you felt from the court, social workers, or the other parent.

Theme 5 — Lasting harm to you

How has this affected your child(ren) emotionally, physically, and mentally?

You may include depression, PTSD, suicidal ideation, self-harm, impact on school, relationships, etc.

Theme 6 — Lasting harm to your protective parent

How has this affected your protective parent emotionally, physically, financially, and mentally?

You may include PTSD, depression, suicidal ideation, financial loss, housing instability, career impact, etc.

Theme 7 — International situation / Hague Convention (optional)

Were you moved to or kept in a country against your wishes, or separated from your protective parent due to an international court order?

You may include:

Whether the Hague Convention was used in your case Whether you were returned to a country where you felt unsafe Whether your protective parent's reports of abuse were ignored in international proceedings How this affected you

SECTION 4 · Your voice (optional)

This space is for you. Say anything that has not fit neatly into the earlier questions. There is no right way to answer. Your words will help show what children experience behind closed court doors.

Can your testimony be used anonymously for awareness purposes, including on social media, podcasts, reports, or publications?

Can your testimony be used anonymously for awareness purposes, including on social media, podcasts, reports, or publications?
Thank you for your courage in contributing to this report. Every testimony matters.