More than Half of Dutch Lawyers Facing Threats, Aggression from Clients: A News Story
Amsterdam, Netherlands – A recent study conducted for the Dutch BarAssociation (Nova) has revealed a disturbing trend: over half (55 percent) of Dutch lawyers experienced aggression, intimidation, and threats from clients or opposing parties in thepast year. This represents a 5 percent increase from 2022, highlighting a growing concern for the safety and well-being of legal professionals in the Netherlands.
The study, conducted by Ipsos I&O, surveyed 714 lawyers and found that verbal violence was the most common form of harassment, with 38 percent of lawyers reporting being harassed or intimidated, and 24 percent facing threats. A concerning 4 percent experienced physical aggression.
What struck me most is that 47 percent of lawyers experienced the most recent incident as ‘serious to very serious,’” said Sanne van Oers, general dean of Nova, in an interview with Trouw. “We have once again received confirmation that the impact of such incidents on the lives of lawyers is significant.”
The study also revealed that over half of lawyers reported a decrease in job satisfaction due to aggression and threats, and a quarter said these incidents impacted theirpersonal lives.
A Growing Concern
Nova began monitoring lawyer safety in 2019 following the tragic murder of criminal defense attorney Derk Wiersum, who was shot dead near his Amsterdam home.
It has led to us as a professional group talking more and more about the aggression we encounterduring our work, said Van Oers. I previously noticed some reluctance, but now this topic is being discussed, and extra support and assistance is being offered.
To address this growing concern, Nova has implemented several initiatives, including:
- An emergency number for lawyers to call in acute situations.
*Resilience training to help lawyers cope with stress and aggression. - A service for lawyers to have the security of their homes and offices checked.
The Need for Change
Despite these efforts, the study highlights a need for a cultural shift within the legal profession.
Lawyers sometimes think that aggressionis just part of their jobs, said Van Oers. That is unacceptable. Aggressive behavior occurs most often in cases that affect people at the core of their existence, such as the loss of a home, job, or the care of a child. Lawyers see this as an explanation for the transgressive behavior. But it must become even clearer that this type of violence is not part of our profession. Aggression is not normal.
The Dutch Bar Association is calling for increased awareness and action to protect lawyers from aggression and threats, ensuring a safe and respectful environment for legal professionals to practice their profession.
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