Germany sees surge in child sexual abuse cases

The Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) presented a new report showing that police recorded 17,126 cases of sexual abuse of children in 2025 – an increase of 772 cases over 2024 and roughly 1,600 more than in 2021. The total number of victims rose to 18,736, a 3.6 % rise, with 13,870 girls and 4,866 boys affected. More than half of the incidents involved perpetrators previously known to the victims.

The report highlights a growing digital dimension: cyber‑grooming, livestreamed abuse (over 250 cases in 2026, many linked to the Philippines) and a sharp rise in sextortion. Artificial intelligence is increasingly used to create deepfakes and “nudifying” apps, complicating investigations. BKA chief Holger Münch warned that AI‑generated material expands the burden on police, while Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt called the figures “alarmingly high” and stressed the likelihood of a large dark figure beyond the recorded cases. The data, based on police crime statistics, cover sexual abuse, child‑pornography and exploitation, and underline the need for stronger protection measures, especially online.