Protection of victim data in court documents sometimes goes wrong. In order to better protect the privacy of victims, the General Order in Council for the Protection of Victim Data in Procedural Documents (The Order) entered into force on 30 January 2025. The Order prescribes that most categories of personal data of victims may only be included in the procedural documents if they are important for the court to make a decision. This contribution explores if the new Order will solve actual problems in relation to victim protection. The entry into force can make an important contribution to preventing repeat or secondary victimisation, but it is important that this Order is actually applied and that attention is also paid to relatives of victims. The implementation may cause some bottlenecks. Currently not all police officers are aware of the choice of domicile. And that the Order only extends to direct personal data, while a victim may also be identified through indirect personal data. The rights of the accused - also protected under international treaties and criminal law - may be affected by the tightened privacy regulation regarding victims. The development of rights and regulations in relation to victim protection and privacy are shared, as well as some reflections on the implementation needs.

‘De ouders hadden speciaal vanwege de privacy in een andere gemeente aangifte gedaan. Dat ging goed en de gegevens waren afgeschermd. Maar in een aanvullend verhoor kwamen de naam en vestigingsplaats van de school voor, dat was er net tussendoor geglipt. Het zal maar gebeuren dat de verdachte het kind bij school opwacht. Je moet heel secuur zijn, in het hele proces. Ook als het gaat om aanvullende gegevens, BSN-nummers of medische gegevens. Er zou iemand op moeten zitten die daar echt oog voor heeft.’ (juridisch medewerker Slachtofferhulp Nederland).