Some facts and figures
- On average, 98% of perpetrators are male.
- According to the police, 27% of suspects are minors.
- Young perpetrators may face multiple problems, such as dropping out of school, negative experiences during childhood or an unsafe home environment.
- Minor perpetrators are more likely to commit an offence again later: 24% of minor perpetrators of sexual violence, convicted in 2015, commit a new offence within two years. This is usually not a sexual offence.
- Between 2015 and 2019, the police dealt with nearly 16,500 incidents of sexual violence against children.
- A report was filed in 48% of the registered incidents.
- 41% of cases result in a conviction.
- In 2017, almost 10% of the registered incidents involved unwanted sexting. In 2019, this increased to almost 14%.
Concerning
Herman Bolhaar, the National Rapporteur on Trafficking in Human Beings and Sexual Violence against Children, calls the conclusions of the Perpetrator Monitor concerning. “We still see the same thing as several years ago: the approach does not seem to be keeping pace with the problem. Despite strengthened policy and the efforts of various parties. There are many young perpetrators, processing times are too long and preventing perpetration or repeated perpetration is still not sufficiently successful. Too little is changing in the approach.” According to Bolhaar, more action and room for tailor-made solutions are needed. “An approach only has an impact if it matches the characteristics of the perpetrators and victims, as well as the constantly evolving phenomenon of sexual violence against children. It is complex and hybrid, and therefore there is no single solution.”
Education is needed to prevent perpetration by young people
The reports recently published by the National Rapporteur all paint the same concerning picture: there are many young victims and perpetrators, both of human trafficking and sexual violence against children. This study also shows that more than a quarter of all perpetrators of sexual violence against children are minors. This makes it more important than ever to focus specifically on prevention in order to prevent perpetration and, consequently, victimisation. Structural attention is needed for awareness-raising, with an emphasis on learning to talk about sexuality, appropriate ways of interacting and boundaries from an early age. Young people’s (online) living environment must naturally play a central role in this. This education should become an ongoing part of young people’s basic development.
How effective is the reintegration programme?
“Prevention is essential, but should sexual violence nevertheless occur, it is necessary to do everything possible to stop sexual violence and prevent recurrence. It is crucial to look at who the perpetrators are and what the context is; what complex problems lie behind their perpetration? There is not one type of perpetrator, one type of victim or one type of crime,” says Bolhaar. “Here too, room is needed for tailor-made solutions. This makes it possible to decide what the most appropriate assistance and guidance are to ensure that perpetrators do not reoffend. This prevents victimisation.”
The vast majority of young perpetrators, namely 99 percent, comply with the measures imposed on them. However, this says nothing about the effectiveness of the reintegration programme. The National Rapporteur recommends investigating which young perpetrators continue to raise concerns after probation supervision has ended that hinder appropriate resocialisation, what these concerns are and how these young people can best be helped.
Long processing times have a negative effect on perpetrators and victims
The National Rapporteur is calling for extra attention to the long processing times in criminal cases. In 2019, it took 417 days from the time a case was registered with the Public Prosecution Service (OM) until a judgment was issued. In 2015, this was 359 days. The fact that this takes so long makes recovery even more difficult for victims than it already is. In addition, rapid completion encourages people to file a report. Swift handling also has a positive effect on the effectiveness of the sentence imposed on young perpetrators. It is therefore important that the police, the Public Prosecution Service and the judiciary work together on this.
Task for the next government
“This complicated problem cannot be solved by adding up a series of fleeting new ideas. It requires depth, expertise, perseverance and the ability to learn. The approach requires a long-term commitment,” says Bolhaar. “This is therefore a task for the next government. A great deal has been invested in policy in recent years; now it is time to turn that policy into decisive action and implementation.”
To achieve this, the necessary tools must be provided, and the prerequisites must be put in place: the designated parties and organisations need the resources to make implementation possible. Bolhaar: “For this approach to succeed, it is essential that it is made concrete and local; addressing the problem in the living environment of the perpetrators and victims. Intensive cooperation between the national government, the regions and municipalities is essential in this regard.”
Response from the NJi
Ans van de Maat, director-general of the NJi, believes that when addressing young perpetrators, attention should be paid not only to the young person themselves, but especially also to their immediate living environment. “What is it about the child or their living environment that can lead them to perpetrate an offence? What triggers or influences play a determining role in this, or could actually prevent it at an early stage? This requires a joint approach by adults close to young people’s living environment, such as parents, neighbourhood workers, teachers and sports coaches. Together with the young person, they must identify personal problems, problems at home, in the neighbourhood or at school as early as possible and work together to find appropriate solutions.”
Download the Perpetrator Monitor here and the accompanying factsheet here.