Worrying picture of sexual violence against young people

The Monitor on Victims presents a worrying picture of sexual violence and sexual intimidation against young people aged 15 to 17. Prevalence research – research into how often sexual violence occurs – based on figures from Statistics Netherlands (CBS) shows that an estimated more than 95,000 girls (37.8%) and around 34,500 boys (13.4%) in this age group have experienced at least one form of sexual violence or sexual intimidation.

Children becoming victims again

“Sexual violence against children is widespread and has long-term consequences for victims,” says National Rapporteur Rijken. “It is therefore alarming to see that teenagers relatively often become victims of an offence again.”

No less than 35% of 13- to 17-year-olds come to the attention of the police again as victims within five years, compared with 14% of 0- to 12-year-olds. In more than half of these cases, they become victims of a sexual offence again or experience serious violence.

Preventing sexual violence

“We must try to prevent sexual violence against children as much as possible by focusing on effective prevention.” The rapporteur’s monitor shows that the effectiveness of most existing preventive interventions is unknown. “This is worrying, as the use of ineffective interventions may be pointless or may even have the opposite effect,” says the National Rapporteur.

Much to be gained for schools

Good relationship and sexuality education in schools is an essential part of effective prevention of sexual violence against children. However, research by Rutgers shows that 62% of biology teachers and 79% of social studies teachers in secondary education do not use additional (accredited) teaching materials.

According to National Rapporteur Rijken, there is still much to be gained here: “For this, schools and support organisations need the right frameworks. This is an important role for the national government, which can provide stronger guidance to schools on educating students about sexuality and sexual diversity, thereby contributing to the prevention of sexual violence against children.”

Prevention for young people

The National Rapporteur shares Rutgers’ view that sexuality and relationship education should also target students in the upper years of secondary education. “Paying attention to sexuality and sexual diversity is currently only compulsory in primary education and the lower years of secondary education,” says National Rapporteur Rijken. “Yet it is precisely older teenagers who often experience sexually transgressive behaviour. And this is at an age when they are fully engaged in exploring relationships and their own sexuality.”

Appropriate assistance is needed after sexual violence

When children become victims of sexual violence, it is, according to the National Rapporteur, of great importance that appropriate assistance is provided. “The child’s best interests must be the starting point. When a child becomes a victim, it is essential that assistance is tailored to the needs of victims and to the problems they want to resolve.”

Victims are also unclear about where they can find specialist assistance and what kind of assistance is available. “This assistance is not always available and provision is fragmented,” says National Rapporteur Rijken. “A national point of entry could help ensure that victims reach the right place and receive the right support.”

Forensic medical examinations of children under pressure

The National Rapporteur is concerned about how forensic medical examinations (FME) of children are currently safeguarded in the Netherlands. During an FME, a forensic physician examines the victim and collects physical evidence for a possible criminal case. National Rapporteur Rijken: “It is crucial that children experience as little burden as possible from such an intrusive examination and that evidence is collected as effectively as possible. This requires specific expertise that must be kept up to date.”

The Netherlands Forensic Institute (NFI) carried out this task nationwide until March 2022, but can no longer do so because of a shortage of doctors. The National FME Research and Expertise Bureau (LOEF) was established to take on this task temporarily, but this is only a temporary solution.

“At present, there is no solution that sustainably safeguards quality,” says Rijken, “and this is worrying because FME can often provide strong evidence in a criminal case.” In 30% of cases in which the evidence collected during the FME was examined, the suspect’s DNA was found on the victim’s body or clothing.

Awareness is growing

Fortunately, there is also positive news to report. Public awareness of sexual violence and sexually transgressive behaviour has grown in recent years. Rijken: “This is an important development, because it is an uncomfortable truth: sexual violence occurs everywhere.”