Charity wants free lawyers for online sexual abuse victims

Fonds Slachtofferhulp, the victim support charity, has started a petition for victims of online sexual abuse. It wants them to have the same rights and protection as victims of physical assault and rape.

Victims of online abuse cannot get a free lawyer or a payment from the schadefonds (violent crimes compensation fund) when an offender is convicted. Victims of physical abuse can.

“We are very surprised that victims of online abuse still have no right to a free lawyer or compensation from the victims' fund when an offender is convicted,” said Ineke Sybesma, the charity’s director. “The impact is enormous with online abuse too.”

A change in the law means offenders who coerce victims online into sexual acts can now also be prosecuted for rape and assault. The rules on victims’ rights do not change automatically with it, Sybesma explained. Two victims of one offender can therefore be treated differently. She fears other rights are also out of date, because they still rest on the old law on online sexual abuse.

Research by the charity found that in a quarter of cases, digital sexual abuse occurs alongside physical assault and rape. Earlier findings showed one in two young people aged 12 to 25 experience unwanted sexual behaviour online, an estimated 700,000 to 800,000 young people a year.

Fifteen politicians recently spoke out together after becoming victims of sexual abuse videos made with AI. BBB MP Caroline van der Plas said: “It feels like digital rape and that is terrible.”

Sybesma also said victims often do not know they can ask Offlimits to have images taken offline. She said the organisation should be strengthened, but cuts are threatening it instead.