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4 Conclusions and recommendations
4.1 Core message
The Introduction concludes with the core message of the report. This is repeated here:
<strong>Child</strong>ren are entitled to protection from all forms of sexual violence. The approach towards tackling child pornography
must form part of an integrated approach towards tackling sexual violence against children. Connections,
coordination and monitoring form essential elements of that approach.
The Dutch government has the task, and the express intention, to do its part in protecting children
from sexual violence. This task arises from – among other legislation – the aforementioned Lanzarote
Convention on the protection of children against sexual exploitation and sexual abuse. Protection from
child pornography also falls within the scope of this protection. The extent of the issue means however
that such protection cannot solely be provided by a repressive approach, in which only the police, Public
Prosecution Service and the Minister for Security and Justice bear responsibility. Prevention of offenses,
identification and registration of offenders and ex-perpetrators, after-care for offenders, provision of
assistance to victims and collaborations with private parties also form essential elements of the process.
The task of coordinating the implementation of the Lanzarote Convention has been assigned to
the Ministry of Security and Justice and the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport. It is clear that these
Ministries have also developed the greatest number of initiatives in order to protect children from sexual
violence. As a phenomenon, child pornography cannot be regarded separately from sexual violence; it
would therefore be illogical to artificially separate the two in terms of policy. The findings in the previous
chapters show that such a separation does in fact exist. This is regrettable, and results in situations where
interventions are rendered less effective. The programmes carried out by the coordinating ministries
need to be combined, and these ministries should jointly realise measures to combat sexual violence
against children, including child pornography. Partnerships with other governmental bodies, institutions
and professionals involved should also be sought. Knowledge of the complex phenomenon, as
provided in the first chapter, is relevant when implementing the strategy and collaboration.
On the basis of the above, it would seem logical to arrive at an integrated policy for the protection of
children from sexual violence. Strictly speaking, this falls outside the scope of the reporting task with
regard to child pornography. A consideration of measures to combat child pornography outside the
framework of the measures for tackling sexual violence would do no justice to the reporting task. The obvious
importance of connections between the implementation processes and the many actors involved
constitute sufficient reason to recommend the government to implement an integrated programme of
measures, coordinated by the responsible ministries. Independent monitoring would also form part of
that process. In order to ensure continuity, all of this should be enshrined in law.