The Public Prosecution Service demands 8 years of imprisonment and TBS with compulsory treatment against a 27-year-old man from The Hague, who is suspected of online abuse, distributing and producing child pornography, and possessing it. The man allegedly approached young girls via social media asking if they wanted to send nude photos or videos of themselves performing sexual acts.
The investigation begins when the sister of a minor victim reports to the police in Belgium on January 9, 2022. Her sister was allegedly approached via TikTok by someone claiming to work for a modeling agency. The agency was supposedly looking for new models. The girl is asked to send photos, initially innocent and then increasingly explicit.
When the Belgian police investigate the IP address, it turns out the person lives in the Netherlands. The case is transferred to the Team for the Combat of Child Pornography and Child Sex Tourism. It then appears that there have also been reports in the Netherlands, where very young girls have become victims of sexual offenses or attempts thereof.
Data Carriers
On February 6, 2024, a man from The Hague is arrested. Multiple data carriers are seized at his home. About 4,500 child pornographic files are found on them. The files show girls photographing or filming themselves while posing naked and in most cases also performing sexual acts on themselves.
Based on, among other things, a username that was visible in some cases, a part of these girls could be identified and approached by the police. A total of 30 girls are identified. They are victims aged 4 to 13 years.
Organized
According to the Public Prosecution Service, the man operated in an organized manner. He used different account names and frequently changed phones. He approached the girls via social media such as Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok. The suspect gave instructions to the girls and sent them example (nude) photos to replicate. If a girl no longer wanted to, she was pressured by the suspect, who stated that a high fine would follow if she did not create the image. He also threatened to forward the photos to others.
“He has harmed the health of all these girls, both physically and psychologically,” said the public prosecutor. “Young girls who cannot foresee the consequences of social media when someone abuses their trust.”
TBS
Because experts believe that the suspect has an autism spectrum disorder, a pedophilic disorder, and a high risk of reoffending, the public prosecutor believes a long-term treatment is appropriate. They demand TBS with compulsory treatment and a prison sentence of 8 years.
Talk About It
The Public Prosecution Service notes that this case involves very young victims. But teenagers are also increasingly facing online contacts in which someone tries to obtain sexually explicit material. Sexual experiences via the internet are a new reality and increasingly normal for young people. Therefore, it is all the more important to talk to children about boundaries and the dangers of abuse via social media. Parents who need help can find more information on the site of the Netherlands Youth Institute.
Children who have had unpleasant experiences on social media can talk about it (anonymously) with, for example, the Child Helpline or the GGD. Also HelpWanted and Fier are organizations that provide help and advice. Tips on how to prevent blackmail with sexually explicit material can be found on the police website.