Rotterdam police officer fired,
arrested over multiple sexual offenses
A police officer in Rotterdam has been fired for “serious dereliction of duty.” He is in custody on suspicion of multiple sexual offenses. Authorities also say he unlawfully accessed police systems and are investigating his involvement in an incident where a 59-year-old woman was injured after she had been arrested.
The employee who worked at the emergency call center was already suspended in August last year after a report of a sex crime was filed against him. At the time, the police stated that it concerned a “possible criminal act committed during private time.” The criminal investigation into the sex offenses has led to prosecution. The case has yet to be substantively heard in court.
On April 14 this year, police arrested the then 34-year-old man in Altena on suspicion of sexual offenses and violating official secrecy, the Public Prosecution Service (OM) reported. Authorities also confirmed that there are a total of four reports filed against him.
According to Rijnmond, the woman had been arrested on April 17, 2024, for causing a disturbance in the Rotterdam-Prinsenland area. After she was arrested, she sustained an injury during a driving maneuver performed by the officer driving the van. The woman had to be taken to the hospital after this.
The OM declined to give further details about the nature of the offenses. They are investigating the events with the Department of Safety, Integrity, and Complaints (VIK) and the sex crimes unit. A judge had extended the suspect’s pre-trial detention by two weeks on Thursday. 
According to Grok: André N. is the name of the police officer in Rotterdam who was fired for "serious dereliction of duty." He is a 34-year-old from Werkendam who worked with the Rotterdam police and was also a well-known organist. He was arrested on April 14, 2025, on suspicion of sexual offenses against minors, including sexual acts on a 15-year-old boy and raping three boys aged 16–18 in areas like Werkendam, Zeeland, and the Veluwe.
Class action sexual violence lawsuit filed against Australian military
By Paul Godfrey
Four former female member of the Australian Defense Force are the lead claimants in a class action lawsuit in Australia's Federal Court alleging sexual violence against women serving in the military is widespread and systemic. File Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License PhotoOct. 24 (UPI) -- Four former Australian servicewomen filed a class action lawsuit in federal court in Sydney on Friday, alleging they were victims of sexual violence. Thousands of female soldiers were set to join the lawsuit against the Australian Defense Force, alleging widespread, systemic sexual violence and harassment, including rape, assault, molestation, forcible kissing, discrimination and bullying.
Women who suffered sexual violence, sexual harassment or discrimination while serving in any capacity in the Army, Navy, Air Force or training institutions over a 21-year period from November 2003 to May 2025 are eligible to join the action.
The lead law firm on the suit, JGA Saddler, did not give a figure on the recompense it hoped to secure for women who signed up to take part, stressing that it was not only about money but affecting change amid ADF denials and refusal to address the issue.
"The damages sought will be the subject of expert evidence throughout the proceedings, however damages will be an amount which makes the highest levels of our government and the Defense Force take this issue seriously," said JGA Saddler director Joshua Aylward.
"The experiences of many of these ADF women has changed their lives. We know that no amount of compensation can remove what has happened to them, however substantial compensation needs to be paid in recognition of what's happened to them and significant enough to force the ADF to actually make the changes that are necessary."
The lawsuit comes after 10 month-long arbitration effort by the Human Rights Commission failed to resolve the matter.
The ADF insisted it was dealing with the issue, with a spokesperson saying there was "no place for sexual violence" in the armed forces and that the military was working on a strategy for sexual misconduct.
"All defense personnel have a right to be respected and deserve to have a positive workplace experience in the ADF," the spokesperson said.
The claims of the women included being groped while pinned against a wall and awaking naked and battered after partying with male officers.
One claimant, a former Air Force member, who served in premises where the male-to-female ratio was 100 to 1, alleged she was treated with hostility, targeted with sexist comments and inappropriate exchanges and was shown pornographic photos she had not consented to view.
A second claimant, a member of the navy, alleged she was the target of obscene comments and groping throughout her time training. While on an overseas deployment, she alleged she was grabbed and kissed by a colleague against her will.
Aylward, from JGA Saddler, said the accounts showed that, for female personnel in the ADF, fear of sexual violence at their place of work often outweighed the threat to their safety posed by war.
A final report of the Royal Commission looking into suicide in the Australian military and the role of sexual violence last year found that around 800 sexual assault claims were made between 2019 and 2024.
It estimated such incidents were 60% under-reported and that sexual misconduct levels overall were likely even higher, as it constituted "only a subset" all sexual misconduct incidents.
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Thousands of female soldiers were set to join the lawsuit against the Australian Defense Force, alleging widespread, systemic sexual violence and harassment, including rape, assault, molestation, forcible kissing, discrimination and bullying.
Women who suffered sexual violence, sexual harassment or discrimination while serving in any capacity in the Army, Navy, Air Force or training institutions over a 21-year period from November 2003 to May 2025 are eligible to join the action.
The lead law firm on the suit, JGA Saddler, did not give a figure on the recompense it hoped to secure for women who signed up to take part, stressing that it was not only about money but affecting change amid ADF denials and refusal to address the issue.
"The damages sought will be the subject of expert evidence throughout the proceedings, however damages will be an amount which makes the highest levels of our government and the Defense Force take this issue seriously," said JGA Saddler director Joshua Aylward.
"The experiences of many of these ADF women has changed their lives. We know that no amount of compensation can remove what has happened to them, however substantial compensation needs to be paid in recognition of what's happened to them and significant enough to force the ADF to actually make the changes that are necessary."
The lawsuit comes after 10 month-long arbitration effort by the Human Rights Commission failed to resolve the matter.
The ADF insisted it was dealing with the issue, with a spokesperson saying there was "no place for sexual violence" in the armed forces and that the military was working on a strategy for sexual misconduct.
"All defense personnel have a right to be respected and deserve to have a positive workplace experience in the ADF," the spokesperson said.
The claims of the women included being groped while pinned against a wall and awaking naked and battered after partying with male officers.
One claimant, a former Air Force member, who served in premises where the male-to-female ratio was 100 to 1, alleged she was treated with hostility, targeted with sexist comments and inappropriate exchanges and was shown pornographic photos she had not consented to view.
A second claimant, a member of the navy, alleged she was the target of obscene comments and groping throughout her time training. While on an overseas deployment, she alleged she was grabbed and kissed by a colleague against her will.
Aylward, from JGA Saddler, said the accounts showed that, for female personnel in the ADF, fear of sexual violence at their place of work often outweighed the threat to their safety posed by war.
A final report of the Royal Commission looking into suicide in the Australian military and the role of sexual violence last year found that around 800 sexual assault claims were made between 2019 and 2024.
It estimated such incidents were 60% under-reported and that sexual misconduct levels overall were likely even higher, as it constituted "only a subset" all sexual misconduct incidents.
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