The Vrouwenrechtswinkel Leiden (VRWL) is there for everyone who needs it. Our primary target group is women in a financially vulnerable position, but of course everyone who benefits from it can ask VRWL for help. The frequently asked questions have been adapted accordingly.
On this website and in our communication, however, we refer to the term ‘women’ because that is the legal category that we often deal with, especially when it comes to unequal treatment. In doing so, we conform to the legal form, but we are very much aware that there are people who identify as neither male nor female and we hope that they too feel supported by VRWL.
VRWL is a tool for women who want to get their rights. We answer legal questions and provide free, customized advice. VRWL offers legal assistance with topics related to work, finance, education and care. If we cannot do enough for the person requesting the advice, we are ready to think along with them about possible (legal) follow-up steps: we have a network of lawyers and legal experts.
You will get a VRWL employee on the phone. This person will make sure that you get an answer to your question or will connect you to a person who can help you further. Legal questions can only be answered at our consultation hours.
No, VRWL does not have an income requirement. This means that you can receive free advice without having to prove that you are below a certain income.
You are welcome if you live, work or study in Leiden or the region around Leiden.
To make your appointment go as smoothly as possible, it is important to bring the right documents.
Think of:
- all relevant documents about your question, such as emails, contracts, letters or photos;
- all information that you have researched yourself.
If you need support during the appointment or would like to not be alone, you can bring someone. Bring someone with whom you feel safe.
If you have a legal question from both of you, you are both welcome. You are also welcome to bring your partner (or someone else) for support during the appointment.
You will always have two 30-minute meetings with us: an intake and a second appointment in which you will receive the legal advice. We aim to schedule the second appointment within two weeks after the first appointment. Scheduling the second meeting is done during the first appointment.
Yes, you are welcome. We do not check social security numbers.
Yes, you are also welcome as a teen. If your question is specifically about children's rights, there is also a children's and youth law shop in Leiden where you can go.
You can cancel your appointment by using the link in the confirmation or reminder email you received from us. If it is short notice, it is best to call 071 514 39 80.
You can move your appointment by using the link in the confirmation or reminder email you received from us. If it is short notice, it is best to call 071 514 39 80.
At the moment we are starting at three locations in Leiden. Expanding to more locations, for example other community centers, is certainly not excluded. When we are ready to do so, we will publish this on our website.
You can follow us on LinkedIn. We have decided not to use any other social media channels.
You can find any current vacancies (for volunteer work or paid jobs) on this page.
Are you dissatisfied or do you have a complaint about our services? We invite you to report this to us. You must report a complaint within 6 months after the incident occurred. We take your complaint seriously and give us the opportunity to improve our services.
You can find our complaints procedure here (in Dutch). You can submit a complaint via our complaints form. You can also download this form and send it to Vrouwenrechtswinkel Leiden, Hooglandse Kerkgracht 17 C, 2312 HS Leiden.
VRWL is a platform in development. We are continuously adding to our frequently asked questions. In order to still get an answer to your question, you can contact our advisors via info@vrwleiden.nl. From April onwards we will also be reachable by phone on 071-5143980.
