(NL Times) The Netherlands is failing to prevent forced marriages, abandonment abroad, and female genital mutilation, putting hundreds to thousands — mostly girls and women — at serious risk each year. A new study by research agency Right to Rise, commissioned by the Research and Documentation Centre (WODC) of the Dutch Ministry of Justice and Security, finds that legal gaps, inconsistent cooperation among agencies, and delayed identification of potential victims hinder the country’s response.
The report highlights the United Kingdom’s use of so-called hybrid protection orders, which combine civil and criminal law. These orders are civil measures designed to protect victims, but if violated, the breach is treated as a criminal offense punishable by up to five years in prison. British experts say this dual approach strengthens protections and fills gaps left by existing legal tools.
