Shocking Report: Drastic Spike in Sexual Crimes Against Children in Germany
German police record an alarming rise in reported cases of child abuse in 2025. The majority of victims are girls who knew their attackers.
Alarming Figures and a Hidden Reality
Germany is facing a concerning upward trend in sexual violence targeting the most vulnerable category—children. The latest data from the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) reveals that a staggering 17,126 such crimes were registered during 2025. This represents a significant increase compared to previous years, with 772 more cases than in 2024 and 1,600 more compared to 2021.
Experts who worked on the report, titled "Sexual Crimes Against Young People and Children," warn that these figures represent only the tip of the iceberg. The statistics exclusively cover cases that were officially reported and processed by the police, indicating the existence of a massive, hidden number of unreported crimes.
Profile of Victims and Perpetrators
A detailed analysis of the data uncovers a disturbing pattern—in the vast majority of cases, the victims are girls. What is even more concerning is the fact that the attackers are rarely strangers. Most often, the perpetrator and the victim had already established some kind of relationship before the crime occurred, with the attackers being either immediate family members or individuals from their close circle.
Parallel to the rise in the number of victims, an increase in the number of suspects has also been noted, growing from 12,368 to 12,823. According to police findings, these are predominantly men who acted alone.
The Digital Space as a New Threat
Particularly alarming is the 20 percent increase in pornographic materials containing child abuse. The report specifically highlights the problem of live streams of child sexual abuse, a trend that is gaining momentum globally. In this context, the Philippines is pointed out as the primary location where the majority of these specific criminal acts are registered.
"The number of criminal offenses of sexual violence against minors remains alarmingly high. Therefore, we must better protect children, especially in the digital world."
This statement was made by the German Interior Minister, Alexander Dobrindt, during the official presentation of the national report. He emphasized the urgent need to strengthen protection mechanisms, with a special focus on the online space where predators are finding new ways for exploitation.
