Advocates call for urgent government action on online sexual violence
A coalition of advocacy groups has called for immediate action to combat online sexual violence, warning that current enforcement efforts are failing victims. In a joint press release, Stichting Offlimits, Fonds Slachtofferhulp, Stichting Landelijk Centrum Seksueel Geweld, Privacy First, and Boekx Advocaten revealed that online platforms are not being held accountable for the spread of illegal content, leaving victims with little recourse.
“Regulations on online sexual violence are adequate,” said Otto Volgenant of Boekx Advocaten. “However, laws that exist only on paper and are not enforced do not protect citizens. The fight against online sexual violence is not a priority for the police, the Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens (AP), the Autoriteit Consument en Markt (ACM), or the Commissariaat voor de Media (CvdM). Victims are left out in the cold.”
According to the coalition’s findings, one in eight children worldwide falls victim to online sexual abuse. In the Netherlands, one in three girls and 10 percent of boys aged 16-17 have been subjected to online sexual harassment. The psychological impact is reportedly comparable to in-person sexual abuse, with victims frequently experiencing depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), self-harm, and even suicidal thoughts.
“Tragically, there have been cases in recent years where online sexual violence has led to suicide among young people,” said Carlo Contino of Fonds Slachtofferhulp. “Recovery is further complicated by the fact that images continue to circulate, making it nearly impossible for victims to move on.”
The press release highlights critical gaps in enforcement despite the existence of laws such as the Digital Services Act (DSA), the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Dutch Media Act, and the Dutch Penal Code. While some online service providers cooperate to remove harmful material, others refuse to act.
“Helpwanted received 12,206 reports of online sexual misconduct in 2024, including more than 7,400 cases of sextortion or non-consensual sharing of intimate images,” said Robbert Hoving of Stichting Offlimits. “We work closely with many online platforms to remove this content swiftly, but we need stronger measures against those who refuse to cooperate.”
The coalition is calling on the Dutch government to take six concrete steps to strengthen enforcement against online sexual violence. It urges authorities to designate the issue as a priority by Jan. 1, 2026, and conduct a full assessment by mid-2025 to determine the financial and organizational resources agencies need to act effectively. If additional funding is required, the government should allocate it by late 2025. To improve coordination, structured and mandatory oversight meetings should be established between enforcement agencies, regulators, and trusted organizations like Offlimits, the press release states.
The coalition also calls for stronger collaboration with Offlimits, allowing its investigative findings to serve as the basis for legal action without redundant investigations. Finally, it demands that enforcement agencies submit annual reports starting in 2026, outlining their efforts to combat online sexual violence and protect victims.
