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Implementation
an integrated approach will be outlined. It is important to gain an insight into – on the one hand – the
way in which the various regions can benefit from one another’s knowledge and experience, and on the
other hand, the steps that can be undertaken to ensure that a case is dealt with in a clear and integrated
manner, bringing together the interests of all parties involved. Examples from other countries will also
be discussed, which may be of benefit to the approach to be implemented in the Netherlands.
3.6.3.1 Starting points
The Action Plan to Tackle <strong>Child</strong> Abuse states that the application of criminal law for tackling (sexual)
abuse of children must be aimed at putting an immediate stop to the abuse, preventing re-offending
by means of targeted interventions, and restoring the standard that has been breached. This cannot be
achieved exclusively through punishment of the offender. The interests of the child must be key. From
this point of view, criminal law may be implemented in order to guide offenders towards the use of assistance
services for offenders. This may be achieved by imposing special conditions in the event of a
suspended sentence or a conditional decision not to prosecute, or in the event of suspension of pre-trial
detention (see §3.6.2 above). The criminal law then functions as a deterrent. Application of criminal law
is specifically applicable if the mental and/or physical integrity of the victim who is a minor is seriously
under threat, considering the nature of the harm (in any case in the event of grievous bodily harm) and/
or the frequency (systematic nature) of the violence. Criminal action is one of the possible routes that
can be taken following the reporting of serious abuse, if necessary in combination with one of the other
routes also being applied: voluntary or compulsory assistance (for child and perpetrator) or a child protection
measure. 559 The Center for Sex Offender Management (CSOM) in the United States formulated
a number of starting points specifically for convicted sex offenders, which link in with this notion and
should be applied to all phases of an integrated model, namely: specialised knowledge and training,
raising public awareness, monitoring and evaluation and cooperation. 560 In practice in the Netherlands,
these starting points are represented individually in the form of various initiatives. The importance of
interconnectivity between all of the starting points, and the necessity of a central executive administration
in order to enable an integrated approach, are especially evident in the establishment of the Safety
Houses and scenario teams (see the box ‘Safety Houses’ at the end of this section).
The Center for Sex Offender Management (CSOM) was founded in 1996. Since then, the Center
has been developing and collecting best practices from national and local jurisdiction in the United
States. Besides this, the CSOM arranges training sessions and provides technical assistance to all
relevant actors who are involved with after-care and supervision of sex offenders. Five starting
points formulated by the CSOM for an integrated approach towards sex offenders, and related
examples from practice in the Netherlands are outlined below.
Focus on the victim
When providing after-care and supervision to an offender, the victim must be taken into consideration
first of all. This means that the interests of victims play a clear role in decisions regarding the interests
of offenders. Strategies with regard to after-care and supervision should not overlook the requirements
of victims, re-traumatise them or have a negative impact on them in any other way. This balancing of interests
can create troublesome dilemmas. The possibility exists – especially in cases where offenders are
559 See Parliamentary Papers II, 2006/07, 31 015, no.16.
560 Center for Sex Offender Management, 2007a; see www.csom.org (viewed 17 June 2010).
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