The alliance Act4Respect-Unlimited is a collaboration of Rutgers, Atria and COC Netherlands. We work together with professionals, researchers and young people to recognise and prevent violence earlier. We do this in regions throughout the Netherlands, focusing on what young people need and what supports professionals in their work. Act4Respect offers knowledge, interventions, training and an active expert network of youth professionals.
The alliance Act4Respect-Unlimited is a collaboration of Rutgers, Atria and COC Netherlands. We work together with professionals, researchers and young people to recognise and prevent violence earlier. We do this in regions throughout the Netherlands, focusing on what young people need and what supports professionals in their work. Act4Respect offers knowledge, interventions, training and an active expert network of youth professionals.
What does the programme involve?
In Act4Respect, we explore how social norms, gender expectations and power dynamics influence young people's behaviour and how they may experience (sexual or (ex)partner) violence. We look at what young people need to recognise, discuss and counter violence. We combine practical experience, scientific insights and interventions used in different domains. Think education, youth work and youth care. We conduct research into new phenomena and underexposed target groups, we evaluate the interventions being (re)developed and the broader programme. On the basis of this and other existing research and knowledge, we test approaches and develop new tools that fit the living environment of young people.
What is Atria's role within this programme?
Atria's role within Act4Respect-Unlimited consists of carrying out the (evaluation) studies conducted in cooperation with Rutgers and/or COC. In addition, we contribute to the scientific foundation on which the expertise, tools and interventions are (further) developed.
What is the aim of the programme?
Act4Respect aims to structurally prevent gender-based violence among young people. We develop knowledge, tools and regional approaches that help organisations embed prevention sustainably. Outputs include handouts, webinars, research reports, trainings, the Pyramid of Violence tool and materials for schools and youth professionals.
The National Expert Network brings together professionals who work with young people and are committed to preventing gender-based violence. Members include youth care professionals, teachers, youth workers, youth nurses and staff at municipalities and GGDs. They contribute ideas on tools, manuals and approaches and get access to exclusive meetings, trainings and discounts.
The studies that have been and are being conducted contribute to further developing and updating existing expertise promotion and interventions.
In 2026, we will focus on manosphere research focusing on young people's experiences. We will also conduct a process evaluation on the newly developed Act4Respect intervention.
Team
Britt Myren (researcher)
Maya Declich (researcher)
Eline van Miert (junior researcher and communication officer)
Hannah Kloosterman (corporate communications officer)
Franca Hehenkamp (researcher and policy advisor until 1 August 2025)
Who are the partners?
Rutgers - expertise centre sexuality Netherlands
COC Netherlands - lhbti+ advocacy organisation
Off Limits
In various studies, we seek cooperation with partner organisations to, for example, represent the interests of the target groups in the study. Previously, we collaborated with BI+ Netherlands and NNID - expertise centre for sex diversity.
