paroolOct 22, 2026, 06:00

'Meisjes van de goede herder' is a poignant documentary, full of enlightening and beautifully crafted slow TV

The documentary Meisjes van de Goede Herder explores the systemic abuse and forced labor suffered by over 20,000 Dutch girls in convents between 1860 and 1978. Survivors are now seeking legal accountability and compensation, though courts have thus far dismissed their claims as time-barred.

The documentary series Meisjes van de Goede Herder chronicles the harrowing experiences of women who were placed in institutions run by the Sisters of the Good Shepherd between 1860 and 1978. These women, including survivors like Joke, Roos, and Eugenie, were subjected to forced labor in laundries and sewing workshops, often facing harsh punishments and isolation. Despite their efforts to seek justice and compensation for these abuses, recent court rulings have dismissed their claims regarding forced labor as time-barred. The series also highlights disturbing new discoveries, such as undocumented graves found on the site of a former convent in Zoeterwoude.

Beyond legal battles, the production provides a platform for victims to share their stories of systemic abuse, which the convent order previously dismissed as common practice for that era. The documentary draws unsettling parallels between these historical events and modern cases of institutional mistreatment of children, suggesting that systemic failings in care remain relevant. Through investigative journalism, the series ensures that these personal histories are brought to light, despite the lack of formal legal resolution.

Culture Lifestyle Netherlands

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Based on reporting by parool. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

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