In , the Centre for Child and Human Trafficking CKM conducted research into the nature and extent of criminal exploitation in the municipality of Rotterdam.
These include persons who are or were forced into money laundering, drug crime and recruitment for prostitution. Ecorys examined the effectiveness of a pilot initiative that aims to tackle this exploitation.
In response to the findings of the CKM report and in line with the Rotterdam coalition agreement and the Rotterdam safety programme Veilig Rotterdam, the municipality of Rotterdam is therefore developing a targeted approach to criminal exploitation. This pilot focuses on signal recognition by professionals and on increasing the willingness of both young people and professionals to report.
In addition, the pilot also focuses on improved coordination between parties involved in tackling criminal exploitation of young people. The pilot consists of four components: a signal recognition training programme for professionals, an online and area-based communication campaign, the Care Table consultation and working agreements. Commissioned by the municipality of Rotterdam, Ecorys studied the effectiveness of this pilot and specifically investigated why suspicions of criminal exploitation do not or hardly translate into concrete reports.
These insights provide the municipality with tools to further develop the pilot in the future. We can conclude that the pilot Tackling Criminal Exploitation in the districts of Delfshaven and Lombardijen are perceived as positive. It is important to focus on criminal exploitation among young people in a targeted and integrated way.
