Children and families are having to wait too long for help from domestic abuse watchdog Veilig Thuis because of an increase in reports and shortage of professional staff, youth care inspectors have found.

A report of suspected abuse made to Veilig Thuis must be assessed within five days and then followed up with an investigation which should be concluded within ten weeks.

Just five out of 25 Veilig Thuis organisations managed to complete the process within the set time limits in 80% of cases. This put the victims of the abuse at more risk while other reports of neglect and structural abuse are put on hold, the inspectorate said.

Only one Veilig Thuis organisation completed all investigations within the ten week period.

“People told the inspectorate they doubted if their report to Veilig Thuis had any effect,” the report said.

The organisations have been told to come up with a plan to improve their services and shorten the waiting lists. “It is up to everyone involved to make sure that children and families are given help and protection at short notice,” chief care inspector Angela van der Putten told broadcaster NOS.