Sexual abuse against hundreds of thousands of minors is reportedly confirmed by a research finding
Sexual abuse in childhood and adolescence is a shockingly common issue in German society, as revealed by a recent survey. Over 12% of individuals aged 18 to 59 have been victims of sexualized violence, affecting approximately 5.7 million people [1].
The study's primary finding unveiled a disturbing "dark field" of such incidents across diverse crime scenes, beyond the Catholic and Protestant churches where such abuse has often been at the forefront [2]. Researchers emphasized that it's crucial to understand the varied settings where these offenses take place in order to develop effective prevention and intervention strategies [1][2].
Sexual abuse often leaves lasting scars, and many victims remain silent due to feelings of shame, guilt, and fear of not being believed [1]. Over one-third of those affected reported their experiences for the first time during the study [1]. One crucial recommendation coming from the research is a need for increased sensitivity and awareness in addressing cases within families, with a focus on distributing information about available support services more widely [3].
In terms of age, the victims are typically 11.2 years old upon their first experience of sexualized violence, and nearly half of the victims have been victims multiple times [1]. Young women between 18 and 29 reported sexual assault most frequently [1].
Internet and social media are also significant platforms for sexualized violence. Approximately 32% of those surveyed reported experiencing unwanted contact with pornographic material, or unwanted questions or conversations of a sexual nature [1]. Regarding penetration, it was found in nearly every fourth case [1].
Further research is required to minimize the numbers of victims and develop more targeted protection concepts in institutions and homes [3]. It's recommended that parents, educators, and community members increase their awareness and stay vigilant to help protect children and adolescents from sexual violence.
[1] Source: Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim[2] Source: Mannheim psychiatrist Harald Dressing[3] Source: Esslingen District trial, Regional Court of Stuttgart [3]
- The study also highlighted the significant role of the internet and social media in sexualized violence, with about 32% of participants reporting unwanted contact with pornographic material or sexual conversations.
- Mental-health professionals, along with health-and-wellness advocates, are called upon to emphasize the importance of addressing mental-health issues among victims of sexual abuse to help them cope with the lasting scars and feelings of shame, guilt, and fear.
- Besides focusing on preventing sexual abuse within religious institutions, it is equally important to pay attention to general-news sources that report on crime-and-justice incidents, as the survey revealed that sexual abuse occurs in a variety of settings, including homes and online platforms.
