This research paper looks at the relationship between substance use and delinquency among young adults (aged 15 till 25 years) in a probation service for addicted offenders. Using a qualitative research method, twelve young adults give their opinions on the origin and development of their own problematic behavior. Results indicate that there is a relationship between substance use and delinquency, though determining causality is difficult and differs on an individual basis. They explain that this relationship is usually established in a risky environment and gradually grows by encounters with both substance use and criminal behavior, often early on in childhood. Friends and family introduced them to a problematic lifestyle in which drugs, alcohol and criminal offences appeared to be normal. Looking for excitement, being part of a group and experiencing positive effects after using substances are factors that stimulate them to continue with this behavior. The downside being that these adolescents get deeper into trouble and develop a dependency for this lifestyle. At that moment, certain turning points can offer a way to escape from using substances and/or committing offences

This study focuses on a sample of 28 male long-term prisoners in the Netherlands who are about to return to society. The aims of the study are to examine their future expectations regarding criminal behavior and to explore how social and individual factors, such as employment, family support and agency, relate to these expectations. This is important because such expectations may affect their actual (criminal) behavior after release. Pre-release semi-structured in-depth interviews included questions about their future expectations, social ties, and sense of agency. Prisoners expecting to quit with criminal activities had both close social ties to society and scored high on individual factors.

The nature and extent and lessons for the detection of long-term missing persons.

In 2009 the Dutch temporary restraining order Act came into being. The order is a much used instrument in the fight against domestic violence. However, it’s effectivity has yet to be proven beyond doubt. There are signs the order can be effective, but it is unknown what influences this effect: which choices in its implementation, which characteristics of violence and those involved, which characteristics of the care that is provided.
This article claims that the temporary restraining order can be more effective if we collect more data on what it is that makes it effective, and use this data to mirror the order against other instruments that are available in the fight against domestic violence. In that way, we can choose the instrument that best suits the situation, instead of picking the temporary restraining order simply because it is most readily available. This means the following is necessary: 1) more knowledge about the types of situations in which the order can be most effective; 2) more knowledge about the effects of choices that are being made in the implementation of the instrument; 3) an overview of all available instruments for intervening in situations of serious and immediate threat of domestic violence and the effects that can be reached with those instruments; and 4) a better use of available knowledge about the effects of care and assistance to victims and perpetrators of domestic violence to improve the trajectories that accompany temporary restraining orders. This will enable a more balanced choice between these orders and other interventions and will improve the effects of the orders and the care and assistance that accompanies them.

In the Netherlands violence in dependent relationships is handled ‘gender neutral’: it is assumed that men and women can both be perpetrator and victim of this violence. A gender neutral approach does not hinder gender sensitivity. With gender sensitivity it is about the question whether sufficient account is taken with gender aspects. In this article the authors look into what is on offer for the men. Although regular welfare organisations, private organisations and local self-help organisations are involved, until now there is is no structural offering of methodologically well substantiated activities.