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Implementation
stated explicitly that whilst this not standard practice, such questions are asked if there is reason to do
so. At most AMKs, child abuse material has been reported occasionally/incidentally, without questions
being asked in this regard by the AMK staff member. The estimates of the annual number of reports to
each AMK that involve child abuse material range from zero to thirty. 213 Three AMKs did not quote any
figure as they did not have them available.
When sexual abuse is reported, some AMK staff members ask (if there is reason to do so) if there are any
‘digital indicators’ that could constitute grounds for suspicion. “Questions are asked, but this seems to depend
on the concerns that are reported and the age of the child in question. If the report concerns adolescents’ behaviour online
(chatting using the webcam, arranging to meet online friends, etc.), staff are attentive with regard to asking questions
regarding ‘digital indicators’. In the case of reports of (suspicions of ) sexual abuse, particularly involving younger children,
it is not standard practice to ask whether images could have been produced. However, staff are aware of the need to ask
whether (child) pornography is being viewed or in an individual’s possession, if this seems relevant.”
In the case of most AMKs, someone has at some point specifically reported ‘digital indicators’, without
questions being asked in this regard by the AMK staff member. 214 The estimates of the annual number of
reports of sexual abuse to each AMK that involve ‘digital indicators’ range from zero to fifty. 215 Six AMKs
did not quote any figure, as they did not have any available, but two AMKs noted that the number is on
the increase. “4 to 5 times per year. Once it concerned suspicions that younger children were being abused (those cases are
usually passed swiftly to the police) and once per year it involves boys and girls (predominantly girls) who unsuspectingly
display themselves.”
The knowledge of AMK staff regarding potential ‘digital indicators’ of sexual abuse varies among the
separate AMKs, as well as among the individual staff members. Various branches stated that some staff
already possess sufficient knowledge of these indicators, but this certainly cannot be said for all staff.
This is usually the result of (too) little experience with the Internet. Most AMKs do not yet pay full attention
to this subject in the sense of a course or training. Some AMKs noted in this regard that this
should form an area for attention in the future, and one AMK indicated that Jeugdzorg Nederland could
also potentially play a role in training, specifically with regard to the national basic course for AMKs.
However, unfortunately not all AMKs recognise the importance of this aspect. 216 One AMK in which the
subject is already being given full attention stated: “Further efforts to promote expertise are still necessary, as ‘social
213 Three AMKs stated that such reports are never made (zero per year). Eleven AMKs estimate the annual
number of reports involving child abuse material to be between one and thirty, and nine stated that
there were no more than ten cases per year (incl. ‘not many’ and ‘a few’).
214 One AMK mentioned schools in particular as reporting parties in this context.
215 One AMK stated that such reports are never made (zero per year). Ten AMKs estimate the annual number
of reports of sexual abuse involving ‘digital indicators’ to be between one and fifty, and eight stated that
there were no more than ten cases per year (incl. ‘a few’, ‘probably a small number’ and ‘it is sometimes
the case that reports are made as a result of communications by children/young people on social media
(or for example an expectant mother who offered her child for sale on the Internet), but no reports
were received of information regarding chatroom content or images of/involving youngsters.
216 For example, it has been claimed that there is no demand for it/that AMK staff conduct investigations
in families and not on the Internet, etc.
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