Netherlands: Compensation for children born from incest

The Dutch government has announced that children born from incest are eligible for compensation from the Crime Victim Compensation Fund, provided they can demonstrate serious psychological harm. This decision follows a ruling by the Council of State, which determined that an individual born from such circumstances is a direct victim.

The Council of State noted that a child born from incest suffers direct harm to their right to psychological integrity and identity development. The specific case involved a man whose mother was a minor when she was abused by her own father. While the Compensation Fund had previously denied his claim on the grounds that the abuse was not a crime committed against him, the highest administrative court ruled otherwise.

In 2025, a majority of the Dutch House of Representatives supported a proposal by MP Songül Mutluer to systematically ensure compensation rights for these individuals through the fund for victims of violent or sexual crimes.