Riitta Koivisto - Rikoksentorjuntaneuvosto

experience of bullying, bullying by SMS being the most modern version. The campaign itself centres
around the illegal possession of weapons by students. Is suggest to student to report it when they know a
fellow student is attending school with a gun or a knife or any other weapon. They can report this to the
police, of course, but if they do not dare, reporting it anonymously by calling ‘M.’ from Meld Misdaad
Anoniem (report crime anonymously, http://www.meldmisdaad.nl), the Dutch branch of ‘Crime Stoppers
International’, would be a good alternative.
Another organisation launched a campaign very similar to KidsTegenGeweld: Ikhebeenidee.nl (I have an
idea; http://www.ikhebeenidee.nl). The idea here is to let children and adults send their ideas to prevent
violence and promote safety and respect via the website. Each idea is than discussed by a group of peers. If
it is considered a good idea, the organisation will help to have it realised by either a small financial
contribution or support from within the large network of people connected to the organisation.
OK-points
Another interesting idea that we may decide to support is from Meld Geweld. They have developed a series
of OK-points in the city of Rotterdam. The idea is to put up large (40cm) signs above the doors of pubs and
restaurants. This sign means that if you have been harassed or attacked, hurt or afraid in the street, the
people who are working in the place that has put up the ‘OK’ sign will help you. Each place that joins the
network of OK-points has priority access to 112 and has their staff trained to help victims in these sorts of
situations. One case where this could have helped was of a woman who was being followed in the street at
night. She never thought of just going into a pub and ask for help. She ended up being raped. The OK sign
should contribute to people feeling safer in the streets.
Many other private groups are active against violence. Many of them started as a memorial to one of the
victims. They usually have their own websites too. People are not just concerned but also prepared to act, to
take their own responsibility.
Thank your for your attention.
Judith Scheepstra is a researcher and publicist on the subjects of violence, human communication and
computing. For the past year she has assisted the Dutch Ministry of Justice with their ‘Violence Prevention
Program’.
Drs. J. (Judith) Scheepstra
+31-70-3785063 (mo/tue/thu/fri)
+31-70-3292746 (we/sa/su)
j.scheepstra@minlnv.nl (government e-mail)
jscheepstra@compuserve.com (home e-mail)
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