The German Parliament, Bundestag, approved legislation aimed at strengthening measures against child sexual abuse. The law focuses on preventing such abuse and supporting victims. The legislation was approved after lengthy negotiations between the Social Democrats (SPD), the Green Party (die Grünen), the Conservative bloc (CDU/CSU), and the Free Democratic Party (FDP).
The new legislation comes as figures indicate a rise in sexual abuse cases in Germany. In 2023, the Federal Criminal Police Office reported 54 children were victims of abuse daily, a 5.5 percent increase from the previous year. The Independent Commissioner for Issues of Sexual Abuse of Children will be updated and enshrined in law, including an advisory board for those affected and a committee to investigate abuse.
The commission will regularly report to the Bundestag on the prevalence of sexual abuse against children and adolescents, as well as on prevention, support, research, and reassessment. Current commissioner, Kerstin Claus, has opened a new research center on sexual violence against children.