A noodverordening (emergency ordinance) has been declared in Stadskanaal, a town in the northeastern province of Groningen, following violent unrest linked to a serious child abuse case.
As reported by RTL Nieuws, two women have been arrested on suspicion of severely abusing two young children. Residents have taken to the streets in response.
Mayor Klaas Sloots signed the order on May 14 after crowds gathered and turned violent in the town centre around 3:15 PM, leaving several homes in the area with smashed windows.
The municipality says calls for further disorder have been circulating on social media, and there are real indications of more trouble to come.
What the order means
The emergency ordinance applies to the area enclosed by Hoofdkade, Julianastraat, Stationslaan, and Brugkade, and will remain in force until Sunday, May 17, at 11:59 PM.
People may enter the designated zone only for a legitimate reason and, even then, must take the shortest possible route to their destination. Gatherings of three or more people without a valid purpose are also banned.
A range of objects are prohibited within the area, including stones, sticks, knuckledusters, fireworks, accelerants, and weapons.
Breaching the order is a criminal offence under Dutch law, punishable by up to three months’ detention or a fine of up to €5,500.
Both police and BOAs (buitengewoon opsporingsambtenaren or municipal enforcement officers) are authorised to enforce it.
The child abuse case behind the violence
The disturbances appear to be a direct reaction to the arrest of two local women, aged 31 and 33, reports RTL Nieuws. One of the homes targeted during the violence is believed to belong to the mother of one of the suspects.
The pair are suspected of the serious physical abuse of a 6-year-old girl and a 7-year-old boy. According to prosecutors, the girl suffered particularly severe mistreatment.
She was allegedly kicked, beaten, and kept locked away, and was sometimes denied food as a form of punishment. The abuse became so severe that by February, she had to be placed in an artificial coma due to malnourishment.
The authorities were notified after the girl’s school raised the alarm, and a criminal investigation into the horrendous abuse is now underway.
What do you think of this unrest? Let us know in the comments.
Does Netherlands have social workers? we have them in California USA. I am so sorry for these babies. that’s what they still are is babies .some mothers are still giving Mothers milk to Children this young.Thank you for reporting this situation to us. I saw where kids are less likely to go outside because no other children are out in The Netherlands.
I saw a town or village has a button to ring for kids to play. this is dangerous.this is something recent that has been in the Dutch news. I hope they reconsider this app because pedophiles may down load the App. My condolences to these sweet babies.
we have abuse cases too, and abuse of a child is such a shock when it’s in such a happy place.keep up the good work on reporting these cases.
By 6/7 years old you do not drink mom’s milk, but the abuse is unspeakable. These kids should’ve been taken away long time ago.