Fewer crimes registered in NL, but more sex crimes

The total number of crimes registered by the Dutch police in 2018 decreased by 6 percent compared to the year before, Statistics Netherlands reports. The number of sex crimes, however, is on the rise.

The police registered almost 9 thousand sexual offenses like rape, sexual harassment or -assault last year, compared to 8,400 in 2017. The number of rape reports increased from 1,200 in 2014 to 1,900 last year. And the number of sexual assault reports increased from 1,700 in 2015 to 2,400 last year.

In 2018 the police registered a total of 783 thousand crimes, 6 percent less than in 2017. In particular the number of property crime and offenses against public order and authority decreased when compared to the year before, according to the stats office.

The police reported a similar trend last month. "An explanation for this could lie in the increasing attention and openness in society with regards to sexual violence, which makes people report more quickly", the police said. There are also more hotlines available where victims can report sexual violence.