Dutch authorities failing to meet own standards for handling sex crime cases

Authorities in the Netherlands reportedly continue to fall short of their own targets for processing sex crime cases, failing to meet the standards set in 2019, according to an internal report obtained by NOS Nieuwsuur. Despite some improvements in case processing times, the police, the Public Prosecution Service (OM), and the judiciary have yet to achieve the agreed-upon goals. Nevertheless, officials decided late last year not to adjust the existing targets.

Under the 2019 guidelines, 80 percent of sex crime reports should progress from police to the OM, from the OM to court, and ultimately lead to a verdict within a set timeframe. These measures were introduced to expedite justice for victims. However, only the judiciary has come close to meeting the established benchmarks.

"This is very disappointing for victims. I find it difficult to explain to them," said Rosa Jansen of Victim Support Netherlands. "We've been talking about reducing processing times for a long time, especially in sex crime cases due to their severity." Jansen emphasized that the targets must be met, noting that significant government funds have been allocated to increasing investigative capacity. "You can't just say the targets exist. They must be achieved."

The ongoing failure to meet these standards is attributed to multiple factors, including a shortage of specialized investigators and increasingly complex cases. "What we prioritize is not just speed, but also thoroughness in handling cases," said Caroline Monster, head of the National Expertise Team for Sexual Offenses at the police. "We must ensure that when a case file reaches the judge, the evidence is as complete as possible."

The judiciary and police maintain that the current targets are realistic and have resisted calls for change. The OM has not stated whether it considers the benchmarks feasible or whether they should be revised. In a joint review last October, these agencies examined the standards but ultimately decided against adjusting them.

An internal report from that meeting, obtained by Nieuwsuur, states: "It was indicated that the current standards are socially acceptable. Adjusting them due to internal professional pressure is not seen as the best option. However, it is important to assess how these standards can be better communicated internally to prevent demotivation among employees."

Geerte Beijer, head of the sex crime unit in Limburg, said prioritizing cases remains a major challenge. "When there are too many cases, prioritization becomes very difficult. And that presents a huge ethical dilemma. What justifies prioritizing one rape case over another? That’s a tough decision, but it’s the reality."

The sheer volume of cases often forces investigators to limit their efforts, particularly in online abuse cases, which can involve numerous victims. "At some point, you have to say: we are stopping further investigation, stopping identifying more victims, and moving forward with the case in court," Monster said.

Victim Support Netherlands acknowledges this dilemma. "The challenge for the coming years is how to handle the growing number of victims in criminal proceedings," Jansen said. She argued that such decisions should not be left solely to the police or OM. "This requires a broader public debate. If you exclude certain victims from the judicial process, you deny them their rights. That is a major decision."

Minister of Justice and Security David van Weel responded by stating that missing the targets does not necessarily indicate failure within the criminal justice system. "An ambitious target encourages innovation in improving case processing times. Equally important is ensuring greater control for victims in sex crime cases," he said.