The fourteen mayors in the Twente region call on the government to draw up stricter rules for sekts in a fire letter. They want a harder approach to abuse and cult leaders, and argue for a new hotline.
“Municipalities receive signals about destructive cults, but current legislation offers insufficient instruments to act effectively,” the mayors write to the David van Weel (Justice) and Daniëlle Jansen (Public Health). The Public Prosecution Service (OM) of the Eastern Netherlands supports the call.
The years of abuses at the Father Pio Foundation would be the reason for the letter. That is the controversial Christian group in Tubbergen that RTV Oost and Tubantia reported in April. The cult is said to have made many victims and there would be child abuse, devil exit and an anxiety culture.
According to the mayors, such messages emphasize “the current events and urgency of this issue”. Mayor Anko Postma van Tubbergen tells Tubantia that what became visible in his municipality is “no exception in the Netherlands”.
The mayors state that there is no direction when tackling abuses around sects and following up reports. The OM, inspections and police work too much past each other due to a lack of a point of contact. RTV Oost reports that the mayors insist that psychological coercion, manipulation and financial exploitation are punishable.
Good step aid point, ‘but then there are already victims’
The mayors also fear that the Netherlands can become a refuge for sects due to the lack of strict rules. Stricter regulations are already applying in France and the United Kingdom and this is being worked on in Belgium.
Earlier, Treatment and Expertise Center Fier announced that they will come up with an aid point for people who suffer from psychological violence in closed groups. According to Postma that is a good step, but “then there are already victims”. The problem should be tackled earlier.
The Fourteen Mayors in the Twente Region Are Calling on the Central Government in an Urgent Letter to Draw Up Stricter Rules for Sects. They want a tougher approach to abuse and sect leaders, and are lawying a new reporting center.
“Municipalities Receive Signals About Destructive SECTS, But the Current Legislation Does Not Offer Sufficient Instruments to Act EffectIVIVERY,” The Mayors Write To The Outgoing Ministers David Van Weel (Justice) and Daniëlle Jansen (Public Health). The Public Prosecution Service (OM) or Eastern Netherlands Supports The Call.
The years of abuses at the Father Pio Foundation are said to be the reason for the letter. This is the controversial Christian Group in Tubbergen That RTV East and Tubantia Reported on in April. The sect is Said to have made many Victims and there would be child abuse, exorcism and a culture of fear.
Accordance to the Mayors, Such Reports Emphasize “the topical and urgency of this issue.” Mayor Anko Postma or Tubbergen Tells Tubantia That What Became Visible in His Municipality “is not an exception in the Netherlands”.
The Mayors State That There is No Direction in Tackling Abuses Surrounding Sects and Following Up On Reports. The Public Prosecution Service, Inspections and Police Work Too Much Alongside Each Other Due to a Lack of A Point of Contact. RTV East Reports That the Mayors are urging that psychological Coercion, manipulation and financial exploitation be made punishable.
Help Center Good Step, ‘But then there are already Victims’
The Mayors also fear that the Netherlands Could Become a Refuge for Sects Due to the Lack of Strict Rules. France and the United Kingdom Already Have Stricter Regulations and Belgium is working on it.
Earlier, Treatment and Expertise Center Fier Announced That It would set up a help center for people struggling with psychological violence in closed grouts. Accordance to postma, that is a good step, but there there are already victims “. The Problem Should Be Addressed Earlier.