Coordinator safety and behavior

The coordinators safety and behaviour are:

• Charlotte Holtkamp
  Charlotte has been working as a coordiantor safety and Behaviour at VU Amsterdam since June 2022. Prior to this, she worked in mental health care and in probation services.
• Anneloes de Beer
  Annloes started working at VU Amsterdam as coordinator safety and behaviour in January 2026. Previously, she worked as a teacher educator in social studies at Christelijke Hogeschool Ede and for the Leger des Heils and in probation services.
• Rob Pel
  Rob previously served as Head of Security at VU Amsterdam and as coordinator safety and behaviour, he played a key role in establishing the safety and behaviour team. Following his retirement, he is deployed on an interim basis when needed.

The coordinators safety and behaviour case holders are trained in threat management, honour-based violence, radicalisation and extremism. They continuously invest in maintaining and expanding their expertise through training courses, webinars, peer consultation, case reviews, and participation in national networks and the Association of European Threat Assessment Professionals (AETAP).

• Risk assessment and action plan
  The coordinators safety and behaviour will begin by conducting a risk assessment to determine the level of risk involved. If there is an immediate safety risk, action can be taken straight away. The coordinator safety and behaviour will then draw up an action plan aimed at restoring safety. In some cases, this may involve a warm referral to, for example, a confidential counsellor or one of the external partners we work with.

• You remain in control
  You, as the reporting party, retain control over the report unless you request the coordinator safety and behaviour to take on an active role. The coordinator safety and behaviour will provide advice and guidance where necessary throughout the process, with the aim of restoring safety for everyone involved.

• Collaboration with internal and external networks
  The coordinators safety and behaviour do not handle reports of concerning behaviour in isolation. To ensure that each situation is addressed carefully and responsibly, they draw on an extensive internal and external network of professionals and organisations with relevant expertise. This includes confidential advisers for staff and students within VU Amsterdam. In some cases, it is necessary to involve external partners to properly assess or transfer a situation. For this reason, the case holders work closely with, among others, the (sexual offences) police, 113 Suicide Prevention, mental health services, Veilig Thuis (Safe at Home), Blijf Groep, and the Sexual Assault Centre.

Social safety
At VU Amsterdam we are committed to fostering a study and work environment where social safety is a central priority, allowing students, staff, and PhD candidates to grow and thrive.

We therefore work together to build an open and inclusive culture in which there is room for different perspectives. By addressing one another, listening attentively, and actively contributing to mutual understanding, we collectively ensure that there is no place in our community for (cyber)bullying, discrimination, (sexual) harassment, aggression or violence. Read more about social safety at VU Amsterdam.

Inappropriate behaviour
If you do encounter inappropriate behaviour such as (cyber)bullying, stalking, doxxing, discrimination, (sexual) harassment, aggression or violence, it is always important to talk about it and not to carry it alone. Check where you can turn to for help in the guides for staff members, students or PhD candidates.

Support in acute situations
In all acute situations requiring immediate assistance or action, always call the internal VU emergency number 22222 or +31 (0)20 598 2222.

Staff members and students play an important role in raising the alarm in the event of an incident or emergency. What you can do yourself as a staff member or student is explained on the Emergencies page. 

Following a report, the coordinator safety and behaviour seeks to speak with all parties involved in order to gain a complete understanding of the situation. This means that if a report has been made about you, you will also be invited for a conversation to share your perspective. The coordinator safety and behaviour remains neutral and does not pass judgement. The aim is to ensure that everyone involved feels safe at VU Amsterdam.

If you are invited for a conversation, you are always welcome to bring someone with you if that feels supportive. During the meeting, you will have the opportunity to explain your side of the story. If you wish, this information can also be shared with the person who made the report.

The goal is to draw up an action plan following the conversation, so that VU Amsterdam remains a safe place for everyone involved. In some cases, this may require agreements that both parties are expected to adhere to.

In certain situations, the outcome may be that a measure is imposed, depending on the circumstances. This usually does not occur after the first conversation. Measures are not imposed by the coordinators safety and behaviour themselves; this is the responsibility of the faculty, which receives advice from the coordinators.