A private - but not secret - location for dialogue between victims and perpetrators; these are the goals of Orange House. It’s a new kind of refuge for women and children who are victims of domestic violence, people trafficking or other abuses perpetrated by those close to them. Dutch Crown Princess Máxima opened Orange House on Tuesday in Alkmaar.

Orange House is clearly visible between the rows of new houses on Alkmaar’s Hooftstraat road. The entrance has two sets of sliding doors, designed to make it more difficult for ‘unwanted guests’ to come in. Residents have been living here for one week even though the building isn't completely finished.

Director Ingeborg Schenkels says until recently methods hadn’t really changed since the first Dutch domestic violence shelters were set up in the 1970s. They were safe-houses - with secret addresses - where women shared rooms with other victims and were expected to sever connections with their partners. Now ideas have changed:

“We’ve decided on an open setting within society, achieved by working systematically with supporting factors within the family as much as possible. And by working with the partner, as long as safety can be guaranteed. And by considering the provision of care for children and working more closely within their environment.”

Children
This freedom and openness is just as important for children. They can go to a school in the neighbourhood and don’t have to keep their mother’s address secret.

As well as private rooms, there are also communal areas. One focus is the ‘communal living-room’, where women can socialise. The children’s room is also important, doubling as a crèche and a youth club.

No alcohol
A woman who suffered domestic violence and prefers to remain anonymous explains that she moved here after seven weeks in another shelter. She says it’s a shame she no longer sees the women from the previous shelter much anymore, but she does like the privacy and comfort in Orange House.

“You’re not allowed to drink alcohol, but I don’t anyway. Smoking is also forbidden but that’s not a problem for me either. You have a talk with a family social worker twice a week. I really like that, because I can tell my story and ask any questions I have.”

Senior researcher Katinka Lünnemann ran a trial of this new approach before Orange House was actually opened. She stresses that it’s important the shelter and social services are kept apart. This makes for a less tense atmosphere. The new approach does, however, have its limitations.

“There are lots of different possibilities for women’s shelters. That means it’s not suitable for everybody. It’s not appropriate for women under serious threat to stay in this setting for a longer time. This approach is targeted at people suffering partner violence and can also be used if there’s parental abuse. However, it’s not suitable for victims of people traffickers.”

(mw)