Government presents action programme to tackle sexually transgressive behaviour and sexual violence

Goal of the action programme

The main objective of the action programme is combating sexually transgressive behaviour and sexual violence. The government is aware that sexually transgressive behaviour and sexual violence will not disappear overnight. For this reason, an important second objective of this action programme is limiting the damage caused by sexually transgressive behaviour and sexual violence. The government wants to achieve this by detecting and stopping behaviour quickly, and by offering victims and those around them support and help as well as immediate action in stopping offenders and suspects. The action programme also focuses on the role of bystanders. We would like for bystanders to be able to recognize sexually transgressive behaviour and sexual violence and know what they can do when they find themselves faced with it. 

Action lines

The action programme consists of 3 types of measures:

• measures taken by the government, such as regulations;
• measures taken by societal sectors and organizations, which the government can promote and facilitate; 
• measures that are ultimately only successful if society as a whole no longer accepts sexually transgressive behaviour and sexual violence by addressing undesirable behaviour when they witness it and by supporting victims.

The action programme has 5 action lines that were created in cooperation with government commissioner Mariëtte Hamer and for which experiences and knowledge was shared by more than 100 organizations, experts and experience experts. The action lines are:

• Shared societal values and standards. It should be seen as normal to talk to each other about your wishes, what your boundaries are and to talk to each other when boundaries are crossed or are threatened to be crossed. To achieve this, efforts are being made in terms of men’s emancipation, as well as including the topic of sexuality in education, teaching employees in education, care and welfare organizations how to discuss sexuality, and using broad-based public communication to promote discussion of the topic in society.
• Legislation and regulations reflect changing societal norms. Legislation and regulations should make it clear which behaviour within our society is considered unacceptable or even punishable. For this purpose we are seeking to enshrine in law a mandatory code of conduct and a complaints procedure. But the Sex Crimes Act will also be expanded to include sexual harassment in public, online or offline, and sex chats with minors (under 16) and make these punishable by law.
• Organizations have processes in place for prevention, detection and monitoring. They have to work on creating a socially safe working culture and determine what is needed for this. The government will offer support in this. For this purpose, organizations will need to draft policy with measures intended to contribute to a safe working environment. In this attention should also be paid to the differences between sectors, because for example the sports sector requires a different approach than media or education.
• Everyone will be able to recognize sexually transgressive behaviour and sexual violence and respond to it. In this the role of bystanders is important, and via various measures stronger efforts will be made in regard to what they can do in situations where they are witnesses or a victim shares experiences with them.
• There is good care provision that is easy to find. Help for victims, offenders and loved ones is accessible to everyone and is of good quality. Research has been conducted into how help for victims and offenders has been set up and whether it meets their needs, and guiding principles of good care provision that is easily accessible will also be defined.

Role for society

The government cannot solve a societal problem alone. This is why the National Action Programme has plenty of scope for good societal initiatives. Everyone has a part to play and can contribute. It is important to constantly communicate about how we want to treat each other and what to do to make society safer for everyone. The government aims to use this action programme to take the next step towards achieving a cultural shift that is necessary, and involves participation from everyone in society.

Government commissioner Mariëtte Hamer

In April 2022, the government commissioner was appointed by the government. She will be making an important contribution to detecting, preventing and combating sexually transgressive behaviour. She is impartial and will provide the government with solicited and unsolicited advice on the creation and implementation of the national action programme. She will also be establishing coalitions in society, connect societal partners to the action programme and supply the government with signals and knowledge from society. In addition, she serves as the figurehead and driving force behind the societal debate on how we want to treat each other when it comes to sexually transgressive behaviour and sexual violence. She will also continue to play a significant role in the action programme, impacting all action lines.