#Perpetrators #sexual #exploitation #migration #background #education #Domestic
The Hague – Perpetrators of sexual exploitation often have a migration background, no completed education and criminal influences in their social environment. This is evident from research by the National Rapporteur on Human Trafficking and Sexual Violence against Children, which was presented in the House of Representatives on Wednesday.
The rapporteur examined 630 domestic perpetrators of sexual exploitation who were brought to justice. These are cases that occurred between 2008 and 2017. The perpetrators were compared with 630 other criminals and with the same number of Dutch people without a criminal background.
Migration background
The vast majority (88 percent) are men and about three-quarters have a migration background. This means that a perpetrator is a migrant or child of a migrant. On average, an offender is 27 years old, almost half are between 18 and 24 years old. Another striking fact is that in 68 percent of cases the perpetrator comes from a family in which only one parent is present. That is double that of criminals who commit other crimes.
It is also striking that only 30 percent of perpetrators have a so-called ‘starting qualification’ for the labor market at the age of 23. A starting qualification is a diploma at HAVO, VWO, MBO-2 level or higher. This is 60 percent for the criminal ‘control group’ and 90 percent for non-criminals.
Repeat offenders
Moreover, these usually involve repeat offenders with criminals in their environment. In most cases there is also a criminal brother or sister in the picture. On average, there are already eight other criminal cases before sexual exploitation or human trafficking comes to light.
According to rapporteur Conny Rijken, these are ‘remarkable findings’ that need to be addressed. She advocates more prevention aimed at young people at risk. And for advice from the probation service for all perpetrators. “That can happen three times as often as it does now,” she says. “Precisely because of the high recidivism rate.”
