Dutch officials have signed an agreement with justice ministry experts in the Philippines to tackle human trafficking and sex tourism, particularly involving children.

The Philippines has a key role in stopping this ‘serious form of criminality’, head of the public prosecution department Herman Bolhaar said in a statement. ‘And potential perpetrators live in the Netherlands.’

The increased cooperation has already led to the arrest of an Australian man in the Philippines for abusing at least eight young girls, the justice ministry said. One girl’s body was found in a house the man used to rent, which had come to the attention of the Dutch authorities.

The justice ministry launches a new campaign against child sex tourism on Thursday. New justice minister Ard van der Steur will launch the initiative at Schiphol airport, the NRC reports.