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Dutch Policy on Sexual crime

The term ‘sexual crime is used to refer to a wide range of situations: from very severe sexual violence to uncomfortable incidents. Sexual violence occurs

  1. in domestic circles: the primary environment
  2. in the (semi-) public sphere, such as schools, associations or neighbourhoods: the secondary environment

On the basis of victim surveys, it can be stated that around 1% of the population over the age of fifteen falls victim to some form of sexual offence every year; for women over the age of fifteen that percentage lies at around 2% of this individual group.*

During the last few years, there has been a particular focus on sexual violence against children and minors. The prevention and sanctioning of this is the responsibility of many social institutions, including those in the field of justice. **  A general preventative instrument for the prevention of sexual crime is the Certificate of Good Behaviour [Verklaring Omtrent het Gedrag, VOG]. At the beginning of 2007, the requirements for obtaining a VOG became stricter in relation to sexual offences.

*M. Brouwers and P.R. Smit, Seksuele delinquentie. De prevalentie door de jaren heen [Sexual delinquency. The prevalence over the years], Research and Documentation Centre [WODC], Judicial Surveys, 31st volume, The Hague, 2005.

**E. Leuw, R.V. Bijl, A. Daalder, Pedoseksuele delinquentie. Een onderzoek naar prevalentie, toedracht en strafrechtelijke interventies [Paedosexual delinquency. A study into prevention, the facts and criminal interventions], Research and Documentation Centre, 2004.

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