Number of Homeless Youngsters Far Greater Than Thought

The Public Accounts Office has estimated the number of homeless youngsters at 6,000. The Foundation for Homeless Youngsters estimates that the figures are at least two to three times as large. Social workers and homeless youngsters indicate that the high figure is directly related to the crisis in the economy.
www.parool.nl/parool/nl/224/2010/article/print/detail/971890/Twee-tot-drie-keer-zoveel-zwerfjongeren.dhtml

New Complaints About Misbehavior in Officer’s Courses

After the daily Telegraaf published information about violence, racism, sexual assault and intimidation at the Dutch Defense Academy (NLDA), additional complaints have been brought forward. Jan Kleian, chairman of the military trade union (ACOM), said that while his original information to the newspaper was based on seven files, he has now received eight additional complaints all from women who have subsequently left the army. He added that there must be many more victims but they usually remain silent out of shame or to prevent problems. The paper also said that there is a confidential internal report about problems at the KIM in Den Helder, which offers courses to those who wish to become marine officers. Apparently it contains substantial negative information. Former General Hans Couzy recalls that the commission in 2006 had already concluded that there was much misbehavior in the military. Nowadays there is no money available to repair this and the general thinks that those in charge do not intervene frequently enough and simply look away.
www.telegraaf.nl/binnenland/7412553/__Meer_meldingen_wangedrag_officiersopleidingen__.html?sn=binnenland,buitenland

Violence, Racism, Sexual Assault and Intimidation at Military Academy

Teachers and former and current students of the Dutch Defense Academy (NLDA) declare that misbehavior in the officer’s courses is structural and continues through today. Complaints have been made with the military trade union and the daily Telegraaf. One student said “the Ministry of Defense says that the incidents happened long ago. However the same is still true today.” He added that women who did not want to participate in sex games going on in the room are mentally and physically pestered until they leave the academy. Those in charge do nothing. Sources at the Ministry told the daily that the same occurs at the Royal Netherlands Naval College (KIM) and the Marines school for officers in Den Helder.
www.telegraaf.nl/binnenland/7405590/__Meer_excessen_defensiescholen__.html?sn=binnenland,buitenland

EU Consider Taking Legal Measures Against Dutch Airline

The EU are considering taking legal steps against KLM after receiving many complaints from British travelers who have not received compensation from KLM when stranded due to the Icelandic volcanic ash outburst earlier this year. KLM is only willing to pay for the first 24 hours, but the European rules are that the airlines have to pay for food and lodging for the entire period of delay.
www.nrc.nl/economie/article2601730.ece/Geschil_over_compensatie_KLM_voor_aswolk

Frequent Violence Against Volunteer Firemen

The trade union of volunteer firemen (VBV) is greatly worried about the increasing violence against volunteer firemen. Cees van Beek, chairman of the VBV said that from its research among 6,500 VBV members about 60% has been confronted one or more times by threats, physical maltreatment or insults. 75% of those polled consider that the violence has greatly increased. Van Beek added that it is becoming increasingly difficult to find volunteers.
www.telegraaf.nl/binnenland/7375124/__Brandweer_vaak_belaagd__.html

Rotterdam: Golden Cockroach Award for Dirtiest Neighborhood

The Leefbaar Rotterdam opposition party in the Rotterdam municipality is going to establish a black book of the dirtiest parts of the town to be called ‘The Dirty Book’. The council of the dirtiest neighborhood will get a ‘Golden Cockroach’. It will change hands when another neighborhood becomes dirtier. Citizens can send pictures of overflowing dustbins, dirt on the streets which remains there for days and other filth. The pictures will be placed on the party’s website.
www.telegraaf.nl/binnenland/7369758/__Kakkerlak_voor_smerigste_deelgemeente__.html?sn=binnenland,buitenland

Ministry of Defense: No Money To Train Military Recruits

The Ministry of Defense has told 470 military recruits who should have started training in a few weeks that it has no money to train them and pay them a salary. The Ministry has informed them that they can, however, join the army in a year from now. The Military Trade Union VBM/NOV has called the cancellation of the promise to employ them immediately scandalous.
www.depers.nl/binnenland/498911/Geen-opleiding-voor-militairen.html