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Implementation
The Lanzarote Convention
The Lanzarote Convention contains an instruction in relation to practically all of the processes
described in the subsequent sections. In this regard the Convention applies a number of principles
that apply equally to all forms of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse stated in the Convention,
including child pornography. With regard to the treatment of victims, this means that a victim must
be prevented from revictimisation. This is particularly relevant in relation to issues such as the
protection of the victim’s identity when child pornography is reported (§3.5.2):
“Each Party shall adopt a protective approach towards victims, ensuring that the investigations and
criminal proceedings do not aggravate the trauma experienced by the child and that the criminal
justice response is followed by assistance, where appropriate.” 6
Most paragraphs will therefore make reference to the Articles and principles of the Convention.
We will also examine the extent to which cohesion exists between these different processes. As previously
stated, child pornography must be viewed in the broader context of sexual violence against
children. For that reason the processes will also be viewed within this broader context where necessary.
This chapter will therefore not only examine specific interventions in relation to child pornography, but
also the extent to which any abusive context is taken into account in the current forms of intervention
in relation to sexual violence against children. As far as certain elements are concerned, it is not always
easy to distinguish between cases that involve child pornography and those that do not within the broad
context of sexual violence against children.
By its very nature, child pornography exists is an international phenomenon. It is therefore essential to
seek international cooperation to tackle this issue. We will focus upon this international aspect in the
section on detection, and also provide recommendations with regard to making specific agreements.
Similar issues also exist in other countries. In this chapter, examples from other countries will be examined
in greater detail, and the relevance of those examples to actual practices being implemented in the
Netherlands will be explained.
Finally, we will also devote special attention to public-private sector partnerships, which play an essential
role in tackling child pornography (§3.8). This section will describe the initiatives that have already
proved successful in this area and the ideas on how the partnership could develop further. A large
proportion of child abuse material exists on the Internet, which is primarily the domain of the private
sector.
6 Article 30 of the Lanzarote Convention. See also Article 31 (1) of the Convention: “Each Party shall take
the necessary legislative or other measures to protect the rights and interests of victims, including their
special needs as witnesses, at all stages of investigations and criminal proceedings, in particular by:
[…] c enabling them, in a manner consistent with the procedural rules of internal law, to be heard, to
supply evidence and to choose the means of having their views, needs and concerns presented, directly
or through an intermediary, and considered”; and “e protecting their privacy, their identity and their
image and by taking measures in accordance with internal law to prevent the public dissemination of
any information that could lead to their identification”. See also §3.5.2.
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