# Child abuse legal proceedings in Germany

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/child-abuse-legal-proceedings-in-germany
> Updated: 2026-11-01T05:00:08.000Z. Sources: 15. Developments: 2.

Legal actions involving allegations of child abuse have emerged in different German jurisdictions. In Lower Saxony, a former youth football coach was convicted by the Landgericht Aurich for physical assault against minor players between 2022 and 2024. The court addressed 93 criminal charges, convicting the individual of multiple counts of bodily harm, though he was acquitted of sexual harassment charges.

Separately, a trial has commenced at the Potsdam Regional Court involving a paediatrician accused of sexually abusing more than 70 children and adolescents. Prosecutors allege the misconduct occurred between December 2013 and November 2025 at clinics in Nauen and Rathenow. The defendant is facing over 130 criminal charges, and the proceedings may be partially closed to the public to protect the privacy of victims.

At the start of the proceedings, the 46 year old accused confessed to nearly all the alleged crimes, stating, “I have taken on great guilt.” He indicated that his confession was intended to spare the victims from having to testify in court. The investigation was triggered in November 2025 following a report from a mother regarding an incident at a clinic in Rathenow. Subsequent analysis of seized digital media revealed the scale of the abuse, which involved victims aged between 2 and 20 years old. The defendant was previously employed by Havelland Kliniken GmbH.

## Claims

- The alleged crimes occurred between December 2013 and November 2025. (reported by 7 sources)
- The investigation began after a mother filed a report in November 2025. (reported by 4 sources)
- A 46-year-old pediatrician is on trial at the Potsdam Regional Court. (reported by 10 sources)
- The defendant is accused of 130 criminal offenses. (reported by 10 sources)
- More than 70 children and adolescents were allegedly victims. (reported by 10 sources)
- The defendant confessed to nearly all the crimes at the start of the trial. (reported by 8 sources)
- The doctor was employed at Havelland Kliniken GmbH until 2025. (reported by 5 sources)
- The doctor allegedly took photos and videos of the sexual acts. (reported by 5 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-11-01: Potsdam court begins trial of pediatrician for mass sexual abuse

A pediatrician faces trial in Potsdam, Germany, after confessing to the sexual abuse of over 70 children and adolescents in 130 alleged offenses spanning more than a decade.

15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/german-paediatrician-on-trial-for-alleged-abuse-of-over-70-children

### 2026-10-06: German football coach convicted of assaulting minor players

A German court has convicted a youth football coach for assaulting minor players on 93 counts of bodily harm, though he was acquitted of sexual harassment charges.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/german-football-coach-convicted-of-assaulting-minor-players

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Cite as: Child abuse legal proceedings in Germany. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/child-abuse-legal-proceedings-in-germany