Naomi Ormskerk is a PhD candidate at the University of Humanistic Studies (UvH). She studied Health Care Psychology (MA), with a focus on the forensic field, and Clinical Psychology (BA). Previously, she worked as a Criminology lecturer at Leiden University and VU Amsterdam and as a researcher, focused on systemic effects of addiction and on both victims and perpetrators within, amongst others, closed institutional settings operated by the state (such as prisons).

DIALOGICS OF JUSTICE
In the Dialogics of Justice project, Naomi Ormskerk studies the case of (sexual) abuse in the Church. Naomi aims to answer the following research question: what do survivors need to feel that justice, framed as recognition, has been done following historical abuse perpetrated by clergy in the Netherlands? By simultaneously studying both the cases of (sexual) abuse in the Church and forced labour imposed by nuns affiliated with the Congregation of the Good Shepherd, and by examining both victim-survivors as primary victims and their families as secondary victims, her research aims to study multiple narratives regarding the pursuit and distribution of justice. She will specifically investigate how a systemic approach can contribute to a broadening of justice mechanisms. Naomi has an interest in the relational and multigenerational aspect of victimology and justice.
Contact: n.ormskerk@uvh.nl
PUBLICATIONS
Historical abuse in Dutch Catholic institutions: A qualitative evaluation of victim-survivors’ experiences with redress procedures
This study examines survivors’ experiences with redress mechanisms for historical abuse by Catholic clergy in the Netherlands, showing that empathetic, participatory procedures fostered greater recognition and agency than rigid, adversarial processes.
Lees verderCatholic Clergy Abuse in the Netherlands: The Role of Social Relations in Redress Procedures
This article examines how redress procedures for clerical abuse in the Netherlands shape and are shaped by survivors’ social relationships, showing that relational and intergenerational dynamics are central to experiences of justice and healing.
Lees verderHistorical abuse in Dutch Catholic institutions: institutional and non-institutional response procedures
Naomi Ormskerk, Maarten Kunst and Nicole Immler discuss historical abuse in Dutch Catholic institutions, both institutional and non-institutional response procedures.
Lees verderMEDIA
Opinion piece on how ruling of ‘statute of limitations’ is misplaced in the case of institutional suffering
05/04/2023 ‘Verjaring beschermt foute instituties’ – NRC
Naomi Ormskerk and Nicole Immler published an opinion piece in reaction to the ruling in a claim brought to the court by women who had suffered institutional abuse within a religious institution. Thousands of girls were forced to perform hard labor in Catholic ‘charitable institutions.’ The ruling of…
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Opinion piece on how both religious institutions and victims of institutional abuse have a role to play in restoration
11/01/2023 ‘Zowel de slachtoffers van misbruik als kerkelijke instituties hebben een rol in het herstel’ – Trouw
Naomi Ormskerk wrote an opinion piece on how forced labor and exploitation within Catholic institutions have caused significant suffering, for example, among girls in the institutions of ‘De Goede Herder’. In addressing this harm, both the victims and…
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