Sexual Offences Act and Other Safety Concerns
Addressing rising crime and enhancing new safety measures in Dutch cities.
Recent Incidents and Increasing Crimes
Groningen and other Dutch cities like Amsterdam have seen a worrying rise in violent incidents and overall safety concerns. A series of shootings and explosions in Groningen, Winschoten, and Oude Pekela between July and September last year caused significant social unrest.
Despite investments in prevention and safety, Groningen's annual accounts show an increase in registered crimes, rising from 11,920 to 13,140 compared to the previous year. While violent crimes and home thefts have decreased, incidents of shoplifting and vandalism have continued. There is also growing concern about underreporting of crimes, especially among younger people, which affects the sense of safety in the city centre. Efforts are being made to improve online crime reporting and raise awareness about the importance of reporting incidents.
Political and Community Reactions
Political leaders and community members are calling for comprehensive safety measures. Suggestions include deploying more community officers (BOAs) to prevent street harassment and other crimes, enhancing digital resilience, and increasing surveillance cameras in the city centre. Discussions also highlight the need to educate young people about the dangers of carrying weapons and recognising digital threats.
- Sexual Harassment and Intimidation: The increase in catcalling and sexual harassment cases has led to calls for more robust measures. Rozemarijn Gierkink of the PvdA noted an incident involving young children making inappropriate noises, stressing the need for early education on respectful behaviour. Deploying BOAs to tackle street intimidation and using new laws to make street harassment punishable are among the proposed solutions.
- Night-time Safety: Mayor Koen Schuiling expressed frustration over the lack of progress in making nighttime activities safer, despite five years of efforts. Suggestions include learning from other municipalities with successful night safety programs and pooling knowledge to develop effective strategies for Groningen.
- Digital Resilience: With the growing importance of online security, there is a push to enhance digital resilience, especially in schools. Maria Martinez Doubiani of D66 emphasised the need to address vulnerabilities exposed by recent hacking incidents, advocating for comprehensive digital education to help children recognise and avoid online dangers.
New Measures to Address Sexual Offences
The new Sexual Offences Act (WSM) introduces stricter penalties for various forms of sexually transgressive behaviour, both online and offline. The law redefines assault and rape, focusing on the "absence of consent" rather than coercion. Sexual harassment and sex chatting with minors are now punishable offences. While the police support these changes, they caution that collecting evidence will still be challenging, requiring physical traces, camera footage, and digital communications.
Future Actions and Discussions
The local government is committed to addressing these safety concerns through ongoing discussions and strategic planning. Next week, further discussions on the municipal accounts will take place, with D66 planning to introduce a motion focused on enhancing digital resilience. Mayor Schuiling highlighted the need for additional resources and training for police officers, acknowledging the capacity shortage that hampers immediate crime reporting and investigation.