A 43-year-old man from Amsterdam allegedly sought contact with boys aged between 13 and 16 through various (dating) apps and online, showering them with attention, gifts, alcohol, and drugs, and then abusing them. The Public Prosecution Service has demanded a ten-year prison sentence and compulsory treatment for the prolonged sexual abuse of vulnerable minor boys, the production and distribution of child pornography, and drug possession.
The seriousness of the case is significant, emphasizes the Public Prosecution Service. Not only was a victim placed in a position of dependency, but he was also sexually abused while under the influence of alcohol or drugs and unable to resist. The impact on the victims is enormous: they continue to struggle with the consequences of his actions to this day.
‘Unlimited Sex’
According to the Public Prosecution Service, the suspect has been guilty for eight years of systematically approaching, manipulating, and abusing boys aged 13 to 16. He allegedly sought contact with vulnerable boys struggling with their homosexuality through various (dating) apps and online. He introduced them to a free world where sexuality could be openly discussed and treated them to parties, gifts, alcohol, and drugs.
He had drugs in larger quantities in his home and provided them to his victims. “It had a price,” said the prosecutor in the Amsterdam court, “a very high price. The suspect asked for nothing, but subtly moved them towards sex, unlimited sex.”
The suspect recorded many of these moments on photo and video. This material he not only kept but also shared with others. Police found over 4,500 images on his computer, of which 2,600 were images of identified boys. Additionally, he had also downloaded child pornography material.
Similar Behavior
The impact on the victims is enormous according to the Public Prosecution Service. The prosecutor:
What the suspect has done is infinitely horrible. It is difficult to do justice to all the devastation he has caused, resulting in each of these boys and men having experienced terrible experiences and all having their own traumas. All because of the suspects sexual needs.”
In all cases of the victims, there is a clear pattern of the same method. This specific behavior – deliberately seeking, manipulating, and rendering vulnerable boys helpless to then have sex with them – is evident in all cases.
Dangers of Online Contacts
This case shows the danger lurking in online contacts, especially when vulnerable youth are approached via social media or dating apps by adults with bad intentions. Perpetrators can present themselves as trustworthy listeners and friends, gradually winning the trust of boys who are insecure about their sexuality to then abuse them.
In addition to the ten-year prison sentence, the Public Prosecution Service has demanded compulsory treatment. The measure of compulsory treatment is intended to protect society from the high risk that the suspect will reoffend without intensive treatment.
The court will rule on July 8.