A significantly higher number of Dutch children and young people are victims of sexual exploitation in Belgium and Germany than previously recorded, according to findings from the Dutch Centre against Human Trafficking (CKM). An investigation involving 220 social workers, police officers, and experts identified at least 125 victims over the past two years, a sharp increase from the nine cases previously tracked by the organization.
Discrepancies in official reporting
The CKM study highlights a major gap between official statistics and the reality observed by professionals in the field. While the CKM identified 99 victims in Belgium and 26 in Germany, official records often fail to capture the full scope of the abuse. Many of the identified victims are young girls, some of whom still reside with their parents or within institutional care settings.
Wieke van der Kroef, director of the Belgian anti-trafficking center Payoke, described the official data as merely “the tip of the iceberg.” For instance, while the CKM estimates that approximately 100 Dutch youths have been victims of exploitation in Belgium, Payoke received reports for only three Dutch minors between 2022 and 2026.
Did You Know? The CKM study is based on direct testimony from 220 professionals, including police and social workers, revealing that many victims are being exploited across borders rather than in a single location.
Proposed improvements for cross-border cooperation
To combat the ease with which traffickers move across borders, experts are calling for a more synchronized international response. Payoke advocates for a system where support services can match the mobility of perpetrators, ensuring that victims receive consistent care regardless of where they are exploited.
The proposed strategy centers on three pillars: increased investment in professional training, better public awareness, and a more efficient, standardized process for transmitting reports to specialized centers.
Expert Insight: The wide gap between the 125 victims identified by the CKM and the significantly lower number of official reports underscores a systemic failure in information sharing. Without a unified, cross-border approach to data and victim support, the current fragmented system likely leaves many vulnerable youths without access to specialized protection services.
What happens next
Following the release of these findings, stakeholders are expected to push for policy changes that integrate child protection services, police forces, and specialized NGOs across the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. The focus will likely remain on creating a cohesive framework that prioritizes the victim’s experience, as existing methods have proven insufficient for tracking the transnational nature of these crimes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many victims were identified in the CKM study?
The study identified at least 125 victims over the last two years, with 99 cases in Belgium and 26 in Germany.
Why is there a difference between the CKM data and official reports?
According to Payoke, official reports represent only a fraction of the actual cases. Experts attribute this gap to a lack of professional training and the need for faster, more effective reporting protocols between countries.
What improvements are being recommended?
Experts are calling for better training for professionals, increased public awareness, and closer cooperation between police, child protection services, and specialized centers to better identify and support victims.
How can international authorities better coordinate to protect minors who are trafficked across borders?