Campaign launched against Dutch men sexually abusing kids abroad
Every year, an estimated 20,000 Dutch men travel abroad with the intention to sexually abuse a child, a recent study commissioned by the Scientific Research and Data Center found. The anti-abuse organization Offlimits today launched a campaign aimed at stopping these Dutch men, NOS reports.
Dutch men arriving in high-risk countries, such as Thailand, the Philippines, and Kenya, will see online advertisements on their phones urging potential perpetrators to seek help. These advertisements will also be displayed at Bangkok International Airport in Thailand.
“We hope this will increase our visibility of these men, but also, and more importantly, encourage them to contact our Stop It Now prevention hotline,” Offlimits deputy director Madeleine van der Bruggen told NOS. Staff at the anonymous helpline, which is part of Offlimits, try to refer men to experts.
The study, which included interviews with people working for the authorities and a survey of 9,384 men, found that 2.3 percent of respondents were perpetrators of transnational child sex abuse. The study also found that three-quarters of these men have considered seeking professional help for their sexual feelings and behavior toward children.
“It is naturally very daunting to go to a psychologist or general practitioner. We offer anonymous help, and that’s an accessible way to reach these people.” Van der Bruggen acknowledged that it’s impossible to say whether the helpline stops men from raping children. “At the same time, there are people who repeatedly call us back when they feel they are at risk of making a mistake and use us as a stick behind the door.”
