Investigation launched into how Dutch police, Prosecutor treat sex crime victims

The Justice and Security Inspectorate is launching an investigation into how the police and Public Prosecution Service treat victims of sexual offenses. The Inspectorate will approach 80 victims of rape and sexual assault and hopes to speak to at least 55 of them about how the authorities treated them while handling their cases, NOS reports.

This investigation was prompted by a 28-year-old woman from Hoorn tracking down the man who assaulted her herself. "I always passed on the information to the police, but they did little with it", the victim previously said.

Late last year the Inspectorate concluded that the police dropped the ball in this case. Communication with the victim was not proactive and clear, and "the police action should have been more energetic", the Inspectorate said.

A number of parliamentarians asked Minister Ferdinand Grapperhaus of Justice and Security to investigate how victims are treated. The Minister agreed and called in the Inspectorate. The results of the investigation are expected next summer.