In several countries, perpetrators of sexual exploitation of minors can be convicted in the country of origin when they abuse children abroad. This is called extraterritorial legislation.

Prosecution of sexual abuse by a Dutch person committed abroad is possible, even if the abuse is not a violation of the law in the country where the abuse took place. According to Article 5 Sr the criminal proof originating from the foreign country must satisfy the Dutch criminal standards, before prosecution can proceed. Article 5a Sr concerns aliens who have a permanent residence in the Netherlands and abuse a minor abroad. The perpetrator can be punished in the Netherlands, even when the perpetrator came into the Netherlands after committing the fact.