Half of Dutch youth face online sexual abuse “epidemic”, including sextortion, grooming
Alarming new data indicates that roughly half of those in the Netherlands aged 12 to 25 have been subjected to online sexual abuse, a problem police are now labeling an "epidemic." While many experience online sexual intimidation, such as unsolicited sexual remarks or imagery, more severe forms of abuse like grooming, sextortion, and even sexual deepfakes, likely affects more than 200,000 young people each year, according to comprehensive research released on Wednesday by victim support service Slachtofferhulp.
The study, which surveyed over 2,700 young people across the Netherlands, identified Snapchat, Instagram, and WhatsApp as platforms where young people most frequently encounter these problematic behaviors. While it suggests hundreds of thousands of young people are affected annually, few actually report a crime. That conclusion led to the report’s title, “The Invisible Reality Uncovered.”
A pervasive culture of shame and silence surrounding online sexual abuse is a significant challenge to overcome, said Slachtofferhulp. The data collected by research firm Ipsos I&O uncovered the true scope of the problem beyond the tip of the iceberg, the report stated.
Over a third of young victims choose not to discuss their experiences with anyone, and a mere 4% report incidents to the police. This reluctance is primarily attributed to a profound fear of judgment from others and overwhelming feelings of humiliation and guilt.
Nathalie Gaal-Franse, an expert on online sexual abuse at Slachtofferhulp, emphasized that the findings mean this can no longer be considered a series of isolated incidents. "This is a structural societal problem for which we, as a society, bear collective responsibility," Gaal-Franse stated, calling for action on all fronts to combat the pervasive issue.
The issue can be addressed by prioritizing and strengthening support from young people's immediate circles, providing tools for self-management during recovery, investing in accessible and youth-friendly online assistance, and integrating online safety into school curricula, the report said. It requires attention at all levels of government, educational institutions, aid organizations, and civil society.
"We know that young people who feel understood and supported recover faster," Gaal-Franse noted. "But as long as shame and victim blaming prevail, many young people remain silent and face it alone. Therefore, it is essential that we better understand the scale and impact of online sexual abuse and intimidation, and that we create a safe social climate in which young people receive recognition and help, without judgment or blame."
Slachtofferhulp hopes to build a solid foundation for public awareness, effective prevention strategies, and readily accessible support services for victims. The organization provides support to victims of crimes and serious accidents, their surviving families, and witnesses.
