Amsterdam joins cities using special officers to fight sexual harassment in public

Amsterdam will take part in a pilot that lets special enforcement officers (BOAs) tackle sexual harassment on the streets. The program is already active in Rotterdam, Utrecht, and Almere.

Mayor Femke Halsema told the city council on Wednesday that a letter outlining the pilot will be sent next week. The letter will also specify when the program will begin in Amsterdam. Earlier, the mayor stated that she would explore Amsterdam’s participation in the pilot program.

Since July 1, 2024, sexual harassment in public is illegal. The law covers intrusive sexual behavior through remarks, gestures, or sounds that create a “threatening, hostile, offensive, humiliating, or harmful situation.” This can happen on the street as well as on websites or social media.

BOAs, whether in uniform or plain clothes, will patrol identified “hotspots,” where harassment risk is higher. They can intervene if the conduct meets the legal definition of creating a “threatening, degrading, harmful, humiliating, or hostile situation” through words, gestures, or other actions.

In cities participating in the pilot, enforcement officers can issue a police report if a punishable incident occurs. The report is then sent to the Public Prosecution Service, which may forward the case to a judge.

The pilot aims to assess whether BOAs can effectively support regular police enforcement. In 2024, it already produced its first conviction: a suspect in Rotterdam was fined after BOAs facilitated the legal process.

Studies and reports indicate that many instances of sexual harassment on the street are not reported or do not result in prosecution. Despite surveys showing that street harassment is common, official complaints remain relatively low.