During the Minister of Justice, Security, and Integration, Andin Bikker’s press conference, he talked about a law in the process. He indicated that they are making changes in laws for child abuse cases—also, a Law that The Netherlands introduced regarding assault towards first responders.
The Minister said the first responders are members of the fire department, KPA, ambulance service, medical care sector, and the media. Often, they are assaulted, and they cannot leave the site when that happens. During their job, they must deal with the aggressor. According to Minister Bikker, just like in The Netherlands, there will be more severe punishment for these acts of assault.
They will not qualify for an alternative punishment, like community service—this following article 39 of the statute in development in The Netherlands. Minister Bikker expressed that he noticed a lot of aggression against first responders, which is why it is necessary to present this law’s concept.
The minister said that they have another suggestion for the law. These laws have a collective ordinance that they have been working on since 2018. The collective ordinance adapts different laws under the ministry, and they are minimal changes. We will not have to wait for an essential change in the law but efficiently bring effective change.
