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<strong>Child</strong> PornograPhy First report oF the Dutch NatioNal rapporteur
An integrated approach puts the child first
The task of combating child pornography should not exist in isolation, but should be part of a broad,
consistent programme of measures aimed at combating sexual violence against children. What exactly
does that entail? An integrated approach not only focuses upon detecting perpetrators, but above all,
it puts the child first. In view of the exponential growth of abusive material on the Internet, repressive
measures alone are not capable of providing sufficient protection for children. If the approach is to be
effective, it must also include measures aimed at the prevention and identification of victims and perpetrators
alike – as preventing someone from becoming a perpetrator (once again) also means preventing
children from being (further) abused.
Within this approach, attention must be devoted to the Internet and other forms of technology as a
matter of course. This means, for example, that in cases of sexual abuse, checks should be carried out to
ascertain whether images of the abuse were also produced. This does not currently take place as a matter
of course. In addition, the identification of victims is something that not only needs to take place in
the real world, but it should also be a case of listening to what children are saying online. The assistance
that is provided to victims needs to be tailored to the world in which we currently live, and an answer
needs to be found that addresses the possible digital aspects involved in being a victim. It is clear that
an integrated approach requires the involvement of many parties, each with expertise in its own field.
Effective coordination is therefore also required.
Recent developments
In October 2011, I presented my findings and recommendations to the Minister of Security and Justice
and the State Secretary for Health, Welfare and Sport, after which the report was discussed in Parliament.
Partly as a result of my findings, various positive developments have since been set in motion, as matters
of priority. It is my pleasure to single out the most important of these developments here.
By far the most important measure is the taking up of my recommendation to develop an integrated programme
of measures to tackle child pornography. The Ministry of Security and Justice and the Ministry of
Health, Welfare and Sport are assuming joint responsibility for this. By doing so, they are demonstrating
their commitment to the obligations arising from the Convention on the Rights of the <strong>Child</strong> and its
Optional Protocol, and the Lanzarote Convention. A <strong>Child</strong> Abuse and Sexual Abuse Task Force, which is
yet to be established, will coordinate the implementation of the policy.
The most significant changes have taken place with respect to the understanding of this issue among
those responsible for providing assistance to victims, with the increasing realisation that cyberspace
is a relatively new arena in which sexual abuse is taking place, and one that adds a new dimension to
victimhood. Moreover, the understanding that the Internet presents an opportunity to combat sexual
violence is also growing. In February 2012, an online reporting button was launched, where children
can find help and advice in the event of negative experiences on the Internet. Efforts have not only been
made in terms of identifying (potential) victims, but also in terms of identifying potential perpetrators.
In this way, the offender-oriented ‘Stop it Now!’ programme, which was launched in April 2012, will help
prevent children from being subjected to sexual violence.
As far as detecting perpetrators is concerned, the capacity that has been deployed to combat child pornography
has increased substantially. The Programme of Improvements in Tackling <strong>Child</strong> <strong>Pornography</strong>
that had already been set in motion has enabled a more effectively integrated working method to be