In 2024, Germany saw over 16,000 reported cases of child sexual abuse, a slight decrease from the previous year but still above the five-year average, with the total number of victims reaching over 18,000.

A significant portion of these cases occurred online, including child pornography, which reached a record high of 9,601 reports in 2024, marking an increase of around 800 cases from 2023.

Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt described these figures as shockingly high and called for enhanced investigative powers, including a proposed law to require internet providers to store IP addresses for three months to aid in identifying perpetrators.

Dobrindt emphasized the need for advanced technical measures to combat online abuse and highlighted that a substantial part of the abuse occurs in digital spaces, especially related to child pornography.

Child protection efforts face challenges both online—such as cybergrooming and sextortion—and in familiar environments like family or neighbors, underscoring the need for societal involvement to safeguard children.

Experts and officials stress that while digital dangers are increasing, abuse also persists in physical settings, requiring a comprehensive societal approach to protect minors.

In 2024, the majority of victims were girls (about 74%), with over half of the cases involving perpetrators with a prior relationship to the victim, mainly family or friends, and nearly one-third of suspects were minors.

There were approximately 12,368 suspects in total, about 95% of whom were male, with a significant number being minors, highlighting the complex dynamics of these crimes.

Authorities, including Dobrindt, have described the high and persistent numbers as unacceptable and are advocating for technological tools like IP address storage to better identify and stop offenders online.

The German Police Union supports increasing investigative powers and investing in technology and personnel to improve prevention and detection of child sexual abuse.

On August 21, 2025, German officials, including Interior Minister Dobrindt and BKA President Münch, will present the federal situation report on child and adolescent sexual abuse, highlighting a significant rise in cases over recent years.

Child protection experts emphasize the importance of believing victims, implementing prevention programs, and strengthening protective measures in institutions, though they acknowledge these efforts alone are insufficient.