Victims of human trafficking are deprived of the choice to decide for themselves. Whether it involves deception, severe violence, or exploiting vulnerability, ultimately the choice is influenced by another. This is the case in a major human trafficking case. Over the past three weeks, five defendants (four men and one woman) have been tried at The Hague court for sexual exploitation of six women. The women were allegedly forced by the defendants to engage in sex work under appalling conditions for an extended period. The Public Prosecution Service demanded prison sentences ranging from three to fourteen years, with TBS also requested for two defendants in addition to their prison sentences.
The investigative dossier Kuiftok contains thousands of pages of reports. A large portion consists of testimonies from victims, witnesses, and defendants. According to the two prosecutors leading the criminal investigation, the individuals who provided statements, with the exception of a handful of witnesses, were mostly under the influence at the time they testified.
The Kuiftok investigation is about more than exploitation and sexual abuse. It’s about a world focused on the next hit of crack, the next sniff, or any substance that helps achieve an euphoric feeling, to be pumped up while simultaneously numbing emotions like fear, said the prosecutors.
Reporting
The case began in August 2021 when the sister of one of the victims reported to the police. She described her sister, who was staying with the main suspect, looking very unwell and stating that she was being forced to have sex with men. When officers attempted to speak with the victim, she expressed fear of filing a report. The investigation that began at that time was closed due to insufficient evidence of human trafficking. In May 2022, new information came to the police, and another victim reported sexual exploitation, leading to the case being reopened.
24 Hours a Day
The prosecutors outlined in court how victims were offered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to perform sexual acts. Erotic images were made and shared on sex sites. The defendants used others as a means to obtain narcotics. Violence and intimidation were applied, and victims were provided instrumental narcotics; to keep them working, awake, and continuing to perform.
Money from clients was immediately handed over to the defendants. Victims were isolated from their surroundings. One victim even had her driver’s license and phone confiscated.
These four defendants are accused of having exploited the addiction, vulnerability, and their dominance over the victims as links in chains that brought and kept victims in a situation of exploitation.
Impact
According to the Public Prosecution Service, the impact on the victims is enormous. They continue to struggle daily with the mental and physical consequences of the crimes committed. They state that the defendants went far beyond their limits, their trust has been severely violated, and they are trying to rebuild their lives, but this is very difficult.
Demands
The 50-year-old man accused of rape and sexual exploitation of two victims over a long period with whom he had a relationship faces demands of 12 years in prison and TBS with forced treatment. According to the Public Prosecution Service, long-term clinical treatment is necessary to ensure the safety of society and to prevent reoccurrence of such acts in the future.
The 46-year-old man, who according to the Public Prosecution Service has committed five cases of exploitation (both sexual and criminal exploitation) and held a leading role, faces 14 years in prison.
The Public Prosecution Service demanded three years in prison against the 43-year-old man who had a relationship with one of the victims and is accused of complicity in the sexual exploitation of her. According to the Public Prosecution Service, aggravating factors include complicity, the fact that he used violence, and that he made the victim service a large number of clients without any autonomy or decision-making rights.
Against the woman accused of complicity in the sexual exploitation of two victims and who among other things took naked photos and maintained contact with clients, the Public Prosecution Service demanded 3 years in prison. According to experts, this defendant also shows a high risk of recidivism and persistent personality and addiction problems, and therefore the Public Prosecution Service also demanded TBS with conditions.
In the autumn of 2025, a fifth defendant will still have to answer to the court. He will first be examined at the Pieter Baan Centre.