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youth sex offenders, paedosexuals and sex offenders with intellectual disabilities, 608 and this is also the
case for individuals who view child abuse material. 609 The literature recommends treating individuals
who view child abuse material (hands-off ) in a separate group, as the risk of ‘contamination’ with the
hands-on group is present. 610 Bringing low-risk offenders and high-risk offenders (or offenders with a
high risk of re-offending) together can also pose a risk, because it is possible that the first group of offenders
may copy the behaviour of offenders with a high risk of re-offending with whom they were in
the same group for therapy. 611 In cases involving the wider group of offenders of online sexual violence
against children (therefore offenders who carry out online grooming in addition to individuals who view
child abuse material), it appears that this group differs from those who commit sexual violence against
children offline. 612 However, no separate treatments are available for that group of offenders in the Netherlands.
A number of authors conclude that this is also not necessary, providing that existing treatments
also provide for the treatment needs of offenders committing online sexual violence against children. 613
The motivation of offenders to change is relevant to the success rate. The judicial framework often gives
the impetus for this motivation, but it sometimes occurs voluntarily. Article 7 of the Lanzarote Convention
614 prescribes that signatories must guarantee that people who fear that they will subject children to
sexual violence also have access to intervention and treatment programmes. 615 An example of such an
intervention is the British Stop It Now! treatment programme, whereby those who view child abuse material
are able to come forward themselves (see §3.3.1.1). Treatment centres in the Netherlands are also
already receiving applications from individuals who view child abuse images. 616 In such cases, treatment
can take place face-to-face, but also anonymously, by telephone or via the Internet. An entire online selfhelp
programme can be found at: www.croga.org. Although these types of self-help programmes are not
able to replace face-to-face treatment, they can make an important contribution in the case of those of-
608 Van Beek, 2007, pp.325-326.
609 Centre for outpatient forensic psychiatry De Waag offers ‘group treatment for individuals who have
downloaded child pornography’, see: www.dewaag-utrecht.nl/pool/3/docu ments/6%20-%20KPD%20
def.%20-%20gr%20beh%20kinderpornon%20downloaders%20apr08%20kleur.pdf (viewed 22 June 2011).
610 Taylor et al., 2001, pp.209-210.
611 Van Horn, 2007, pp.339-340; see also Court of Alkmaar, 24 February 2009, <strong>National</strong> Case Law Number:
BH3936.
612 Davidson & Gottschalk, 2011, pp.163-167.
613 Davidson & Gottschalk, 2011, pp.171-172. Specific treatments for online offenders have been developed
outside of the Netherlands. In the United Kingdom, where similar Internet offences made up a third of
the total number of sexual offences in 2006, the Internet Sex Offender Treatment Programme (i-SOTP)
was developed. A project exists in Basel in which individuals who view child abuse images but have
not committed a hands-on offence are regarded as individuals with problematic Internet usage. The
therapy also places a focus on problems such as loneliness, boredom and unfulfilled sexual needs.
614 Convention on the Protection of <strong>Child</strong>ren Against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (Lanzarote
Convention), Lanzarote, 25 October 2007, Treaty Series 2008, 58.
615 Parliamentary Papers II, 2008/09, 31808, no.3, p.6.
616 For example, the ‘group treatment for individuals who have downloaded child pornography’ at the
Centre for outpatient forensic psychiatry De Waag. www.dewaag-utrecht.nl/pool/3/documents/6%20
-%20KPD%20def.%20-%20gr%20beh%20kinderpornon%20downloaders%20apr08%20kleur.pdf
(viewed 22 June 2011).
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