Groningen Sees Sharp Increase in Reports of Sexual Violence After New Dutch Law
Over 2,000 reports in H1 2025 about 25% more year on year. Groningen’s CSG notes 53% more contacts as the law broadens offences and puts consent at the centre.
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Since the Wet seksuele misdrijven (Sexual Offences Act) took effect (1 July 2024), police are recording more reports and more formal complaints. In the first half of 2025, police logged nearly 8,000 reports of sexual offences (+17% year-on-year) and just over 2,000 formal complaints (+27% vs. H1 2024). Police say the rise likely reflects both the new law’s broader definitions and greater awareness.
What changed in the law
The new Act makes more behaviour punishable and shifts the focus to consent: for rape and sexual assault, victims no longer have to prove force; it’s punishable if it was clear the other person did not want sex, and the suspect continued. The law also criminalises sexual harassment in public (offline and online) and sexchatting (approaching minors with sexual messages), and raises maximum penalties.
Local providers are also seeing more people come forward. Nationally, the Centrum Seksueel Geweld (CSG) reports a strong increase in contacts since the law came in, especially in late 2024. In 2025, the Groningen centre says both victims and bystanders are reaching out more often, echoing the national trend. Staff stress that help early on improves medical care and the chance to preserve evidence. (If it happened recently, try to seek help within 72 hours, and ideally within 7 days.)
Why more people are reporting
Police and support services point to three factors:
Broader offences now covered by law (so more cases qualify to report).
Public attention (e.g., media coverage of femicide and harassment) reducing stigma.
Better access to help (24/7 CSG line and chat), making it easier to ask questions first, then decide about reporting.
If you need help
Centrum Seksueel Geweld (24/7): 0800-0188 (anonymous possible); chat via their site. They can arrange medical care, forensic evidence collection, and psychological support, and help you decide about filing a report.
Emergency? Call 112. For non-emergency police, you can also report later; the CSG or Victim Support can guide you through the options.