EUKN - Netherlands - Addressing the lover boy problem

Addressing the lover boy problem - Zwolle

Introduction

Lover boys are often young men who seduce underage girls and then force them into prostitution. The girls become emotionally and financially dependent on their 'boyfriend' and to them there appears to be no way back.

Problem

How can the problem of lover boys be addressed?

Description

In order to solve the lover boy problem, a Lover boys plan of approach was formulated in Zwolle in 2000. This plan was improved and included in the plan of approach for 2003-2005.

Approach

By using a chain approach, the problem is tackled in an integral, consistent and energetic way. The approach is aimed at both offenders and victims and requires the use of five parts:

Educating potential victims. The emphasis in the prevention plan lies in educating both the intermediary target group, e.g. parents, carers, teachers and youth workers, and the potential victims.
Preventing offences. An intermediary is needed to guide potential lover boys, youths on the edge of crime, towards help organisations.
Sheltering and assisting victims. The victim is often dependent on the lover boy for money, attention and drugs. For this reason, Meldpunt Loverboys (Office for reporting lover boys) was started at Overijssel Women’s Shelter.
Tracing suspects. The police appointed a lover boys coordinator. In addition, there is a contact point within each area team for the problems with the lover boys.
Prosecuting offenders. The Public Prosecutions Department also participates in the Zwolle project and prosecutes suspects where possible.

Results

In 2005, the plan of approach was evaluated with respect to its process and the results were reported. The final report showed that the chain approach has borne fruit in recent years.

The social services were able to remove many girls from the circuit or intervene at an early stage. The prevention plan with regard to potential victims was effective. The group at risk learnt more about the lover boys’ techniques. Preventing the offence and intensive tracing and prosecution of offenders also appeared to have been effective.

There were signs that the number of men possibly involved in this lover boy practice in Zwolle had declined. This project’s partners are satisfied with the way in which the lover boy problematic has been tackled by the local authorities.

Contact info

City of Zwolle
L. van Eekeren, tel. +31 38 4982299

Project start date

01/01/2000

Planned end date

01/01/2009

Links

City of Zwolle (in Dutch)

Plan of approach Lover boys 2003-2005 (PDF, Dutch, 57KB)

Evaluation plan of approach Lover boys 2003-2005 (PDF, Dutch, 191KB)

Follow-up plan of approach Lover boys 2006-2009 (PDF, Dutch, 95KB)

Document type

case

Themes

Urban Policy > Security & crime prevention > Anti-crime policy

Keywords