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<strong>Child</strong> PornograPhy First report oF the Dutch NatioNal rapporteur
involved who have committed a hands-on offence upon a victim, such as sexual abuse or the production
of child abuse material – that if offenders re-establish themselves in the same neighbourhood, the victim
will run the risk of being confronted with the offender. After all, it is often the case that sex offenders
and victims know one another (see §1.4.2 and §1.4.3). However, a new place of residence for a convicted
sex offender can also present risks. It is possible that institutions and individuals with an identifying role
will lose sight of him, resulting in a failure of supervision, which means that it is possible for a repeat
offence to occur. As outlined in the box below, scenario teams, such as those in Friesland, attend specifically
to the requirements of (potential) victims in the event of social unrest regarding sex offenders. The
deployment of dual-track or multiple-track teams also works to safeguard the interests of the victim. 561
Specialised knowledge and training
Specialisation, knowledge and training are important. As far as specialised knowledge and monitoring
are concerned, the probation and after-care service is, just like its partners in the criminal justice process
– the police, and the Public Prosecution Service – constantly increasing the extent of its specialism
in sexual abuse. 562 This is evident in the facilitation of separate sexual abuse programmes (COSA) 563 and
programmes in which there is attention for the specific issues involved with regard to sex offenders. 564
However, it will prove a challenge for supervising bodies and caseworkers to obtain and maintain knowledge
about the digital aspects that, from the nature of the case, have a necessary role in the behaviour of
offenders, and that must therefore also receive the necessary attention in the supervision and treatment
of these offenders.
Raising public awareness
The reactions from members of society towards sex offenders in cases involving victims who are minors
are understandable, but are sometimes based on inaccurate perceptions and incorrect information. It
is important to provide the public with information, and this can take place on a national or local level.
561 See §3.7.3 for more information about the dual-track or multiple-track teams. The Tilburg multiple-track
team is a case consultation in which partners in the chain carry out an analysis of a case of sexual violence,
on the basis of which a well-considered scenario is drawn up for three tracks, namely the offender, the
victim and the involved party, within the frameworks of Sentence, Civil and Assistance. It is then determined
by whom the actions are to be implemented, and it is discussed whether or not coordination with
more tracks is necessary (written information from the Tilburg Safety House, 22 July 2011).
562 This emerges from the certification of vice detectives in the police, specialised public prosecutors relating
to sexual abuse cases in the Public Prosecution Service, amongst others. Probation and after-care
services also strive to deploy the most experienced probation and after-care workers for the supervision
of sex offenders (verbal information from the chair of the Board of Management of the Dutch Probation
Service, 27 April 2011). This is not yet applicable to youth probation and after-care, which is taken
care of by the Youth Care Agencies.
563 See COSA box in §3.6.3.2.
564 A new form of supervision has been arranged for those placed under hospital orders who remain as
outpatients: Forensic Psychiatric Supervision. What is new about this form of supervision is that the
Forensic Psychiatric Centre and the probation and after-care service are no longer only responsible
for part of the course of the offender returning to society, but, from their expertise, are collectively
involved in the supervision of the treatment of those placed under a hospital order during the whole
course of the process of the offender’s return to society, see Harte et al., 2010.