Flowers at the Cemetery: a rare case study on tackling a conspiracy Narrative and its consequences

Session Submission Type: Author meets critics

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, a conspiracy theory took hold of the Dutch town of Bodegraven. On digital platforms, a story began circulating about satanic child abuse, allegedly leading to the deaths of multiple children from the area. This narrative was spread and fueled by a few central figures, quickly gaining a large following. The offline consequences became evident when people from across the country started laying flowers at the local cemetery in memory of the supposed victims—much to the distress of grieving families and those falsely accused of horrific crimes. Based on over two years of in-depth research, this book presents the first European case study on how local authorities developed a strategy to manage the impact of a rapidly escalating conspiracy theory. What began as an isolated, local issue soon turned into a national problem, accompanied by severe threats and, at times, outright violence.
The case of Bodegraven reveals the profound impact conspiracy narratives can have on individuals, communities, and institutions. It also highlights how authorities struggled to formulate an effective response—why it took so long to recognize patterns, and how the digital world both amplified and countered the spread of misinformation. With sharp analysis and clear recommendations, Flowers at the Cemetery not only offers a compelling account of a complex phenomenon but also provides valuable lessons for authorities worldwide. It demonstrates how conspiracy theories can surface anywhere, putting governments and law enforcement under similar pressures. The conditions enabling such narratives have not diminished, and authorities remain largely unprepared. Those accused and threatened often endure real psychological and social harm—harm that should be recognized as a form of targeted violence (‘famacide’) rather than mere defamation. Session and critics will especially focus on efficacy of multi-agency approaches, containment of the spread of disinformation, and famacide/victim’s perspectives.

Subtopic

• Topic 5: Social Control and Criminal Justice / Policing and Law enforcement (Policing WG)

Critics

• Peter Klerks, Netherlands Public Prosecution Service & Police Academy

• Dina Siegel, Utrecht University

Book Authorss

• marnix eysink smeets, LEV

• Hans Moors, EMMA