A survey carried out by the Research and Documentation Centre of the Dutch Ministry of Justice (WODC) in 2008 into the theoretical basis and implementation of the programme showed that although it contained a number of valuable and effective factors its approach was insufficiently effective as a whole. Furthermore, the report showed that the measures taken for this target group proved only effective if it largely focused at (supporting) the parents.
The Stop programme was introduced nationwide in 2002/2003 and its primary function was to ‘provide educational support to parents’. The programme comprised learning tasks that included such themes as ‘standards of decency’ and ‘making choices’. Offering an apology or writing a letter of apology to the victim were also regularly part of the programme.
In September 2008 the Ministers of Justice and Youth & Family Affairs submitted their new policy on young offenders under the age of 12 to the Dutch Lower House of Parliament. The basis idea behind the new policy is that more emphasis should be placed on the role of the parents of the juveniles: authorities will appeal to parents’ sense of responsibility and will subsequently receive support, if required, on assuming their responsibility in a proper manner.
How many young offenders under the age of 12 participated in the Stop programme each year?
In recent years, the number of Stop settlements by Halt Nederland was around 1,800-1,900 children per year.
How will the Stop programme be replaced?
Building on the cooperation between the police and youth care agency Bureau Jeugdzorg a new, comprehensive approach for young offenders under the age of 12 and their parents was introduced. In this approach, the police identifies these young offenders, talks with the parents and takes the offenders to the youth care agency. The agency will screen them for any problems they may have and, if required, will present parent and child with an offer that is more suited for the individual. The underlying principle in this kind of situations is that if a minor intervention will do then this is the preferred option or alternatively a more serious intervention will be required.
> The Stop-reaction: A process evaluation - WODC Feb09 (summary)
