The Netherlands has seen a noticeable increase in reported cases of honour-related violence in recent years, prompting renewed debate about the nature, scale and causes of the phenomenon. In 2025, the National Expertise Centre for Honour-Related Violence (LEC EGG) recorded 757 cases, up from 673 in 2024 and continuing a multi-year upward trend.
At first glance, such figures suggest a worsening problem. Yet the data demands a more careful interpretation. Authorities note that the rise may not solely reflect an increase in incidents. Greater awareness, earlier reporting and improved coordination between institutions likely play a role.
This ambiguity sits at the heart of the issue: are honour-related crimes becoming more frequent, or simply more visible?
Beyond the headline figures
Most reported cases do not involve lethal violence. According to LEC EGG, the majority concern threats and physical abuse, with smaller shares involving coercion, stalking or sexual violence. Fatal cases, while highly visible, remain rare. In 2024, five deaths were recorded in connection with honour-related violence.
By comparison, around 120 homicides occur annually in the Netherlands, meaning honour-related killings represent only a small fraction of total lethal violence.
However, focusing on fatalities alone risks missing the broader pattern. Many cases involve ongoing coercion or control that may not result in death but can escalate over time. As noted in policy discussions, only a portion of these cases reach specialised authorities, suggesting the problem may be wider than the figures indicate.
The role of migration and demographics
One of the most discussed aspects of recent reports is the demographic distribution of cases. According to LEC EGG, roughly one-third of incidents in 2025 involved individuals with a Syrian background, followed by Turkish (15 percent) and Moroccan (11 percent) communities.
These figures have fuelled political debate, often linking honour-related violence to rising immigration. Police and researchers, however, urge caution. As emphasised in the same reports, honour conflicts occur across cultures, and some cases involve individuals without a migration background.
Research points instead to a combination of factors, including family dynamics, social pressure and control over relationships. Migration may shape the context – particularly when combined with trauma or isolation – but it does not offer a single explanation.
Gender: a more complex picture
Honour-related violence is often framed as violence against women. While women are disproportionately affected, especially in cases involving relationships or sexuality, the data presents a more complex reality.
According to long-term figures from LEC EGG, slightly more men than women were killed in honour-related incidents between 2013 and 2024. Male victims may be targeted for defying family expectations, refusing to participate in violence, or entering disapproved relationships.
This complicates a simplified narrative. Honour-related violence operates through systems of social control that can affect multiple family members in different ways.
Policy, prevention and limitations
Dutch policy has become more structured, focusing on prevention, early detection and prosecution. Police now use specialised methods to identify ‘red flags’ in potential cases.
Preventive measures include education during civic integration, where newcomers are informed about legal norms such as gender equality and individual rights.
Challenges remain. Many cases occur within closed family structures, making detection difficult. Not all reports lead to prosecution, and the scale of underreporting remains unclear.
Interpreting a growing signal
The increase in reported cases is difficult to ignore. LEC EGG has described the trend as ‘worrying’, pointing to the growing number of cases handled by police and partner organisations.
What stands out is where pressure is building. Many cases involve individuals navigating conflicting expectations between family structures centred on collective honour and a society that prioritises individual autonomy. It is within that tension that conflicts can escalate.
At the same time, rising visibility places greater demand on specialised services. This raises questions not only about prevention but also about capacity: can institutions intervene effectively before situations turn violent?
The figures point to a system under strain: one that is becoming better at identifying the problem, but is still working to contain it.
Written by Priyanka Sharma