According to a recent police report published in Germany, cases of sexual abuse against children and adolescents have significantly increased. The Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) reported a tripling in the number of cases related to the production and distribution of abusive images over the past five years.
Key Statistics:
- 16,375 cases of child sexual abuse were registered in 2023, a 5.5% increase from the previous year.
- 18,497 victims were identified, with the majority being young girls.
- 94% of the suspects were male, with more than half having a previous relationship with the victim.
- 1,200 offenses against adolescents aged 14-17 were recorded, marking a 5.7% increase from 2022.
- There has been a 7.4% increase in cases involving depictions of child sexual abuse.
The rise in reported cases is attributed to improved monitoring and investigation techniques. Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser emphasized the need for stricter data storage regulations to track offenders. The BKA highlighted the importance of police monitoring and reporting in uncovering abuse cases and pledged to enhance technical capabilities for quicker identification of perpetrators.