Parents should not be held responsible for any damage caused by their 14 to 18-year-old children, the senate ruled on Tuesday.

The initiative for the new law, which has taken nine years to reach the senate, came from the Christian Democrats but was rejected by a large majority in the upper house. Only the anti-Islam party PVV supported the initiative, broadcaster Nos says.

The opposition parties pointed out that parents do not always know that their older children have been involved in vandalism.

Parents are already liable caused by children up to the age of 14. Older children are responsible for any damage they cause, but often do not have the means to pay any compensation.