Child abuse

A child is sexually abused when they are forced or persuaded to take part in sexual acts, with or without physical contact. This can also happen online. For example: touching, kissing, sexual intercourse, forcing the child to watch pornography, using vulgar language, showing the genitals or distributing nude pictures or nude videos of the child.

Sometimes the child does not know or understand that they are being abused.

The person abusing the child can be an adult or a person under 18 years of age.

In the Netherlands, sexual acts between an adult and a person younger than 16 are in principle forbidden by law, even if they agreed. It is not forbidden by law if it concerns two peers of similar age who both consented, for example someone who is 18 years old and someone who is 15 years old or two young people aged 14. Sexual intercourse with a person younger than 12 is always forbidden by law.

It is not abuse if two young children are playing sexual games and both are enjoying it. This can be part of a healthy sexual development. 

Indecent assault or rape of a child is punished more severely than when the victim is an adult. 

Making, showing, distributing or selling child pornography will be punished with a prison sentence.

If you witness child abuse or suspect that a child is being abused, you can report it anonymously. You can report it to the police or to Veilig Thuis.