Skip to main content
Home

Main navigation

  • Top stories
  • Health
  • Crime
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Weird
  • 1-1-2
Image
Red_Light_District
Above one of Amsterdam's Red Light Districts - Credit: photo: Quinn Norton/Flickr
Politics
Health
fight against human trafficking
Corinne Dettmeijer
military
Thursday, 9 November 2017 - 11:00
Share this:
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • whatsapp
  • reddit

Human trafficking fight needs cities, doctors to be proactive: Advocate

Cities and doctors should make more of an effort to fight human trafficking and to recognize its victims, a new report published on Thursday stated. The report by the National Rapporteur on Human Trafficking, Corinne Dettmeijer, noted several alarming statistics where she said the country needs to take immediate action.

She noted that about 95 percent of all municipalities in the country have no specific policy to address human trafficking. While most take responsibility for the care of trafficked victims, the report noted that 35% of the municipalities including cities and smaller towns have little idea if they are affected by human trafficking.

"The topic should be in the agenda of all the cities, so that we won't miss any victim or offender," Dettmeijer said.

She also wrote of a trend in the healthcare system, saying that half of doctors have likely been in contact at least once with a human trafficking victim. However, since there is no specific protocol, many cases pass by unnoticed. Three quarters of the country's doctors would like to have more information on how to act in cases where trafficking is suspected, and they want to further know what sort of help they may offer.

In one case she pointed to a victim who visited several doctors on 17 different occasions, with a variety of injuries, broadcaster RTL highlighted. However, not one reported the case to authorities, the report stated.

Dettmeijer said there are many glaring disparities and inconsistencies in the way human trafficking is handled by police, social services, and the Marechaussee. The Marechaussee, a branch of the Netherlands' armed forces, is tasked with monitoring the Dutch border. While the agencies work well together, Dettmeijer noted that police and social services quickly investigate at the slightest suggestion of trafficking, whereas the Marechaussee will only provide support if "sufficient signs of trafficking in human beings" exists, what newspaper Trouw called a much stricter standard.

Follow us:

Latest stories

  • South American coati spotted in Breda tree evades capture
  • Three farmers arrested for attempted manslaughter; Police warn against publicly doxxing officers
  • KLM sued over sustainability, CO2 emissions compensation claims
  • Man thought to have died in car crash may have been killed in shooting
  • Dozens arrested as Extinction Rebellion activists block A12 in climate protest
  • Impoverished households to get extra €500 for energy bills after all

Top stories

  • Three farmers arrested for attempted manslaughter; Police warn against publicly doxxing officers
  • One-year anniversary of Peter R. de Vries shooting
  • Big cities to push Dutch population growth in coming years
  • Video: Police fire shots at Heerenveen farmer protest; Actions at Groningen airport today
  • Covid infections may be stabilizing at new peak, but hospital total jumps 20 percent
  • Bisexual people often victims of violence; Situation not improving

© 2012-2022, NL Times, All rights reserved.

Footer menu

  • Privacy
  • Contact
  • Partner content