Police arrest Noord-Holland man for urging underage girls to self-harm online
Police in the Netherlands have arrested a man from Noord-Holland on suspicion of encouraging underage girls to harm themselves in sadistic online “Com” networks, the Public Prosecution Service reported Thursday.
The suspect, who was a minor at the time of the alleged offenses, is also charged with serious assault, exploitation of underage girls and possession of images of sexual child abuse. He was taken into custody Monday.
Authorities say the man belonged to the Com network known as “764.” In these online groups, extreme violence and efforts to push others toward violence are rewarded with status among members.
As a member of the group, the suspect allegedly ordered girls to cut themselves and then write his online username on walls using their blood. Such "blood signs" are a recognized practice within the Com movement that members use to gain standing. He also allegedly urged girls to write his name on their bodies with a marker, another practice that occurs in the movement.
Because the suspect was underage when the alleged acts took place, the Public Prosecution Service is limiting the details it releases, a spokesperson told NU.nl. As a result, the timing of the offenses, the suspect’s current age and the number of girls he is accused of encouraging to self-harm have not been made public.
Concerns about the extreme violence linked to Com networks have existed for some time. Young members encourage one another to injure themselves or others. The networks also involve images of sexual child abuse, animal abuse and efforts to prompt self-harm or suicide.
