More than 300 young people on Bonaire took part in Out of the Grip 2.0 on Tuesday 25 August 2026, a workshop about influence and criminal exploitation. They discovered how someone can gradually gain influence over them and how important it is to recognize early when something does not feel right. Three experts by experience shared their personal stories and spoke with the young people about choices, consequences and the influence of the people around them.
Criminal exploitation does not always start with something that immediately feels wrong. It can begin with a reward, extra attention, wanting to belong, being asked to keep something secret or being pressured to make a quick decision. That is why it is important for young people to learn how to recognize these forms of influence.
The workshop focused on four forms of influence: rewards, attention and belonging, secrecy and time pressure. Using situations they could recognize, the young people discussed these topics with the experts by experience.
Personal stories make the consequences real
The three experts by experience each spoke to the young people from their own personal experience. They talked about the influence of friends and the people around them, wanting to belong, making the wrong choices and the consequences that can follow. An important question that was also discussed was: who are your friends, and how do they influence the choices you make?
They also discussed what wrong choices can mean later in life for school, work and future opportunities. One of the experts by experience even described a Certificate of Conduct (VOG) as “your second diploma”. A VOG is required for some courses, internships and jobs. If you come into contact with the justice system, this can later play a role when applying for a VOG.
The conversations were not only about what could go wrong. The experts by experience, also stressed that young people could influence the direction their own lives take. Even if you have made wrong choices, you can still choose a different path.
One of the experts by experience put it this way:
“In the end, you are the person who motivates yourself positively or negatively. I have a nine-month-old child. You are the future. Maybe one of you will later be his teacher, his coach or someone else who plays an important role in his life. The choices you make now, matter.”
Does this feel right?
An important message for young people was not to automatically go along with something just because someone asks them to.
Are you being offered something? Are you being asked to keep something secret? Do you feel pressured to decide quickly? Stop for a moment and ask yourself: does this feel right?
If something does not feel right, stop. Think. Talk to someone you trust.
Out of the Grip 2.0 gets more than 300 young people thinking: does this feel right?
More than 300 young people on Bonaire took part in Out of the Grip 2.0 on Tuesday 25 August 2026, a workshop about influence and criminal exploitation. They discovered how someone can gradually gain influence over them and how important it is to recognize early when something does not feel right. Three experts by experience shared their personal stories and spoke with the young people about choices, consequences and the influence of the people around them.
Criminal exploitation does not always start with something that immediately feels wrong. It can begin with a reward, extra attention, wanting to belong, being asked to keep something secret or being pressured to make a quick decision. That is why it is important for young people to learn how to recognize these forms of influence.
The workshop focused on four forms of influence: rewards, attention and belonging, secrecy and time pressure. Using situations they could recognize, the young people discussed these topics with the experts by experience.
Personal stories make the consequences real
The three experts by experience each spoke to the young people from their own personal experience. They talked about the influence of friends and the people around them, wanting to belong, making the wrong choices and the consequences that can follow. An important question that was also discussed was: who are your friends, and how do they influence the choices you make?
They also discussed what wrong choices can mean later in life for school, work and future opportunities. One of the experts by experience even described a Certificate of Conduct (VOG) as “your second diploma”. A VOG is required for some courses, internships and jobs. If you come into contact with the justice system, this can later play a role when applying for a VOG.
The conversations were not only about what could go wrong. The experts by experience, also stressed that young people could influence the direction their own lives take. Even if you have made wrong choices, you can still choose a different path.
One of the experts by experience put it this way:
“In the end, you are the person who motivates yourself positively or negatively. I have a nine-month-old child. You are the future. Maybe one of you will later be his teacher, his coach or someone else who plays an important role in his life. The choices you make now, matter.”
Does this feel right?
An important message for young people was not to automatically go along with something just because someone asks them to.
Are you being offered something? Are you being asked to keep something secret? Do you feel pressured to decide quickly? Stop for a moment and ask yourself: does this feel right?
If something does not feel right, stop. Think. Talk to someone you trust.
Working together to raise awareness
Out of the Grip 2.0 is part of the annual programme on human trafficking and human smuggling in the Caribbean Netherlands. As part of this approach, the Ministry of Justice and Security, RIECCN, IND, JICN, KPCN and secondary schools work together to prevent and recognize exploitation.
Out of the Grip raises awareness of criminal exploitation among young people. Young people are not the only ones with a role to play. Parents, schools and other people around them can also help by recognizing the signs and starting the conversation.
Do you think you or someone you know may be experiencing criminal exploitation? Talk to someone you trust. There is always a way out.
More information: www.rijksdienstcn.com/Outofthegrip
Out of the Grip 2.0 is part of the annual programme on human trafficking and human smuggling in the Caribbean Netherlands. As part of this approach, the Ministry of Justice and Security, RIECCN, IND, JICN, KPCN and secondary schools work together to prevent and recognize exploitation.
Out of the Grip raises awareness of criminal exploitation among young people. Young people are not the only ones with a role to play. Parents, schools and other people around them can also help by recognizing the signs and starting the conversation.
Do you think you or someone you know may be experiencing criminal exploitation? Talk to someone you trust. There is always a way out.
More information: www.rijksdienstcn.com/Outofthegrip
