Organized abuse is a form of abuse in which two or more perpetrators work together to sexually abuse someone. This can be accompanied by neglect, physical, and emotional violence. It often begins at a (very) young age and can be prolonged and structured. Victims are often emotionally influenced, isolated, and controlled, making it difficult for them to escape this situation.
Organized abuse often falls under multiple definitions within criminal law, but it is always considered a sexual offense, as defined in the morals section of the Dutch Criminal Code (Sr.). If the abuse involves minors and recordings are made and/or distributed, Article 252 of the Dutch Criminal Code applies.
When perpetrators commit the abuse with the aim of exploiting someone, such as profiting from the abuse and/or making and distributing images of sexual abuse, this usually also falls under human trafficking (according to Article 273f of the Dutch Criminal Code).
For adult victims, human trafficking is only punishable if the (coercive) means listed in Article 273f of the Dutch Criminal Code are used, such as violence or the abuse of circumstances. For children, human trafficking is considered a crime as soon as exploitation occurs, even without these (coercive) means being used. Read more about the background of organized abuse.
Indoctrination and Programming
Organized abuse often involves indoctrination, programming, and mind-control techniques that perpetrators use to condition and program victims. This makes victims dependent and allows them to (continue to) exert control over them. Read more.
Consequences of Organized Abuse
Because victims of organized abuse are traumatized for long periods of time, they are at significant risk of developing psychological problems, such as:
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Complex PTSD
• Dissociative disorders