On June 27th, 2024, both my parents were convicted by the court in Rotterdam for assaulting/abusing me and a number of my siblings. In my case, for attempted serious assault. By withdrawing the appeal last December, the judge's verdict is final.
During the hearing of the case on May 23rd, 2024, it was revealed by the defense itself that I had filed a complaint about my father's behavior - he was a minister - with the designated Supervisory Board within the Restored Reformed Church (HHK). However, the Restored Reformed Church reacted with surprise after the first preliminary hearing in the criminal case, in March 2023. What did they know, and what did they not know?
The Nederlands Dagblad (Dutch Daily Newspaper) conducted an investigation, and here I tell my story. Not as a victim, but as the person who always raised the issue with the church. Recorded by Maaike Legemaat (reconstruction) and Maaike Legemaat and Dick Schinkelshoek (interview), these articles show that the Restored Reformed Church has never taken responsibility in the matter, and the response unfortunately shows that they still do not take responsibility.
The entire story can be read online in two different articles/parts: as an interview and as a reconstruction. Tomorrow both articles will be printed in the paper version of the newspaper, available at Primera, Bruna or perhaps the tobacconist around the corner!
Read the interview here: https://www.nd.nl/geloof/reformatorisch/1264415/egbert-werd-mishandeld-door-zijn-vader-een-hersteld-hervormde#closemodal
Read the reconstruction here: https://www.nd.nl/geloof/reformatorisch/1264429/reconstructie-waarom-werd-dominee-henk-j-pas-jaren-na-de-meld
Many thanks to the Nederlands Dagblad, in particular Maaike Legemaat, Dick Schinkelshoek and Aaldert van Soest, but also all colleagues in the background for publishing this story. Thanks also to all the professionals involved in the criminal case: victim advocate Nelleke Stolk, Niels Dekker as spokesperson for Namens de Familie and Chantal and Mirjam the case managers of Slachtofferhulp.
Personal note:
As indicated above, I did not tell my story as a victim, but as one of the children who always brought the problems to the attention of the church, convinced that they had a duty to do the right thing in this matter. You can read both articles about the latter, but about the first: I am not pitiful, I am no longer a victim in the sense that I no longer experience this abuse. But I am also more than just a victim:
Would you like to know more about me? Then take a look at my extensive website where I share my music and musical activities with the world. Also, do watch and listen to the series of five interviews with Bert-Jan van der Mieden about me as a person, musician, philosopher, composer and singer, which you can find on my YouTube channel.
And if you would like to do something for me in any way, please check out the support Egbert page on this website.
