Defence for Children – ECPAT treats all reports that are received via this site confidentially. After assessing the report, we forward the information to the police (anonymised if desired). Every report is taken seriously by a police team that is specialized in investigating travelling Dutch child sex offenders. This team has a strong network with foreign police services.

Whether a report can actually turn into an investigation in the country itself or otherwise in the Netherlands depends on many factors. If a report of sexual abuse of children abroad has sufficient leads for further investigation, the Dutch police will contact its partners in the country concerned. The Dutch police does not have investigative powers abroad, but cooperates with foreign police authorities. Investigation abroad is therefore carried out by the local authorities of the country concerned. Dutch perpetrators can be convicted in the Netherlands for child sexual abuse abroad, but prosecution preferably takes place in the country where the abuse took place. This does justice to the suffering inflicted on the victims.

What is my role after a report?
The police is always happy when people report suspicious situations and when the witnesses are willing to provide further information. This could be information that may not have been provided at the time of submitting the report, because it was not considered to be relevant. When you witnessed a suspicious situation, the police can ask you to make a witness statement. The role as a witness in a possible criminal investigation is then explained by the police. It is then up to the witness to decide what further role they want to have.

What happens to the victim(s) after a report?
Every effort is made to end the unsafe situation for a child. This is custom-made for each situation and where necessary there is cooperation with relevant organizations. The interest and safety of the child always come first in matters of the abuse or exploitation of a child.