Police warn owners of child pornography during national action week

NOS News•today, 03:17

Last week, the police issued a warning to dozens of people who download child pornography. With a national week of action, the police want to prevent these people from going one step further and, for example, abusing children themselves.

A total of 95 people have been warned, the police report. Another 55 also had their homes searched and computers seized. Based on information found there, the Public Prosecution Service may decide to start a criminal investigation.

The people who only received a warning did not distribute any material. In addition, they did not download any new material from unknown victims, police say. That is still punishable, but in these cases the police have chosen to leave it as a warning.

The police call this an “early intervention”. “It is also known from science that people who start downloading can grow into abusers,” says detective Annemiek van Noord of the National Unit. “That’s why it’s so important to disrupt this process.”

She says many people were shocked by the warning, but also “relieved and admitted it.” “For example, someone said that he used this warning as a new start. Another said that it was nice that he could finally talk to someone about it and that this was an incentive for him to seek help,” says Van Noord.

If the warned people continue to download child pornography, they too can expect a criminal investigation, police say.