Protection of Victims in Rape and Sexual Abuse Cases in the Netherlands

Abstract

In general, the Dutch codification of Criminal law is constructed on the basic divisions that can be found in most Civil Law jurisdictions. The substantive law and the procedure are regulated in two separate Codes: the Penal Code (Wetboek van Strafrecht) and the Code of Criminal Procedure (Wetboek van Strafvordering). The present Penal Code came into force in 1886; the present Code of Criminal Procedure in 1926. Both Codes have been reformed often, but their basic features have been preserved.The Code of Criminal Procedure regulates the due course of the procedure as a chronological sequence of investigations and decisions. A trial before a District Court (arrondissementsrechtbank), which sits as a chamber of three judges (meervoudige kamer), serves as a model for the manner in which trials must proceed. Most of its provisions are also applicable to trials before other Courts, such as those before the Court of Limited Jurisdiction (kantongerecht); the District Court with a single judge sitting alone in simple cases; the District Court, which handles appeals from the Court of Limited Jurisdiction; and the Court of Appeal, which handles appeals from the District Court.