Online sexual violence: urgent action needed on monitoring and enforcement

Online sexual violence is a big problem: big in number and impact for victims. The current approach falls seriously short in certain respects. In a letter to all responsible ministers, six recommendations have been included that should lead to better and faster help for victims.

"Our analysis is that regulation of online sexual violence is adequate", said Otto Volgenant of Boekx Lawyers. "There is no need for new regulations. But regulations that exist only on paper and are not enforced in practice do not protect citizens. The fight against online sexual violence is currently not on the list of priorities of the police, the Personal Data Authority (AP), the Consumer and Market Authority (ACM) and the Media Authority (CoM). Victims of online sexual violence are left out in the cold."

Worldwide, one in eight children is a victim of online sexual abuse. In the Netherlands, one in three girls and 10% of all boys aged 16-17 are victims of online sexual abuse. Online sexual abuse can have the same impact as hands-on abuse, several studies show. "Victims often experience serious mental health problems such as depression, suicidality, self-harm, anxiety and PTSD. There have unfortunately even been cases in recent years where online sexual violence led to suicides among young people. In addition, processing online abuse is complicated by the fact that images continue to circulate", said Carlo Contino of Fund Victim Support.

Robbert Hoving of Offlimits Foundation: "At Helpwanted, 12,206 victims of online cross-border behaviour reported in 2024, of which more than 7,400 reports were about sextortion or the unwanted distribution of intimate images. We work quickly and constructively with many online service providers to get rid of this material. We just need to be able to take tougher action against those parties who do not cooperate, and with this research we want to help the approach further by indicating where we think the gaps are. Because that is what victims of online cross-border behaviour deserve."

Despite existing regulations such as the Digital Services Act (DSA), the General Data Protection Regulation (AVG), the Media Act and the Penal Code, effective monitoring and swift enforcement are lacking. Platforms continue to distribute images with impunity and often refuse removal requests. This lack of enforcement leaves victims powerless and perpetrators free to act.

Recommendations for a more effective approach

To better combat online sexual violence, the five organisations call for:

• Prioritisation: Ensure that relevant regulators and enforcement agencies include online sexual violence in their priorities, at least by 1 January 2026.
• Budgetary and organisational implications of prioritisation: In the short term, make an inventory among the relevant supervisors and enforcement agencies of what they need to be able to perform their tasks properly. What is specifically needed per organisation should be identified, if possible, by summer 2025.
• Adequate financial resources: All relevant regulators and enforcement agencies receive their funding from the government. If additional budget is needed to prioritise the fight against online sexual violence, the government will have to release funding for it by autumn 2025 at the latest.
• Periodic consultations: Organise consultations on a structural and non-binding basis between regulators and enforcement agencies also at international level. Involve Offlimits (as trusted flagger in this area) and possibly other parties.
• Intensifying cooperation Offlimits: Offlimits wants to reach agreements with supervisors and enforcement agencies on intensifying cooperation. A fact-finding investigation by Offlimits can serve as a basis for enforcement action, without the supervisor or enforcement agency having to set up a new investigation itself. Offlimits has been a trusted flagger for the very biggest online platforms.
• Annual reporting: There is a need for regulators and enforcement agencies to report regularly, at least annually, from 1 January 2026 on what they have done to protect victims from online sexual violence.

In May 2025, stakeholders will organise a roundtable meeting to further discuss the report's findings and recommendations with regulators, policymakers and other stakeholders.

Read HERE The joint research report by Offlimits Foundation, National Centre for Sexual Violence Foundation, Victim Support Fund, Privacy First and Boekx Lawyers (pdf).

Read HERE The letter with recommendations to the responsible ministers (pdf).