Protect. Empower. Prevent.
Petra Witjes
Safety starts by listening to the voices that challenge the system.
Featured in
Award-Winning Book in English | Pre-order now
Silenced for Gold
A Memoir about Systemic Abuse in Elite sport.
In the summer of 2020, a global scandal shook the world of gymnastics. Hundreds of former gymnasts spoke out about experiencing abuse of power and systemic child abuse.
But this story began years earlier. Long before the truth came to light, Petra Witjes tried to expose these practices in her own country, the Netherlands. Instead of support, she found herself fighting a system that preferred to look away rather than take action. How was it possible for the truth to remain hidden for so long?
When abuse is reported, the focus shifts. Not to what happened, but to the person speaking. This book shows exactly how that works. How silence is maintained. How people look away. And why structures that are meant to protect, often don’t.
Petra broke free from a toxic environment where she was trapped in a web of power and control. Silenced for Gold traces the lasting impact of that experience and the years-long fight to bring the abuse into the open.
Is the world finally ready to confront the dark side of elite sport?
*** Winner of the Best Sports Book of the Year 2025 – Netherlands ***
Dutch version | Best Sportsbook of the Year 2025
Door De Pijn Heen
Mijn verhaal over misstanden in de sport
In de zomer van 2020 ontplofte wereldwijd een bom in het turnen. Honderden oud-turnsters vertelden slachtoffer te zijn geweest van machtsmisbruik en structurele kindermishandeling. Al vele jaren daarvoor probeerde Petra Witjes deze wanpraktijken naar buiten te brengen, maar ze bleek te vechten tegen een systeem dat liever wegkeek dan ingreep. Hoe is het mogelijk dat de waarheid zo lang verborgen kon blijven? Petra heeft zich losgebroken uit de giftige turnwereld waar ze gevangenzat in een web van macht en controle.
‘Door de pijn heen’ gaat over de sporen die dit heeft achtergelaten en de jarenlange strijd om het misbruik aan de kaak te stellen. Is de wereld nu wel klaar om de schaduwzijde van de topsport onder ogen te zien? En hoe zet je die pijn uit het verleden om in kracht in het heden?
*** Winnaar van de Nico Scheepmakersprijs voor Beste Sportboek van het Jaar 2025 ***
About
Petra Witjes is a former elite gymnast, award-winning author and speaker from the Netherlands. After speaking out about abuse in Dutch gymnastics, she became one of the voices advocating for athlete safety, accountability and transparency in sport. Her experiences not only shaped her personal journey, but also led to years of professional work on safeguarding, child protection and systemic change.
Alongside her lived experience, Petra worked for several years within the Dutch Child Protection Services, supporting children and families in complex and high-risk situations. She combines this professional background with a trauma-informed approach to help individuals and organisations recognise harmful patterns, navigate complex systems and create safer environments.
Today, Petra speaks internationally on topics including safeguarding, abuse in sport, coercive control, trauma and institutional accountability. She also provides consultancy, education and one-to-one advice to individuals and organisations seeking clarity in complex situations.
Let's Connect
Whether you have a question, would like to collaborate, book a speaking engagement or simply want to explore how I can help, I’d love to hear from you. Fill out the contact form below or send me an email, and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
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