Millions of Germans face the grim reality of childhood sexual violence
Multitudes of German Children Suffer From Childhood Sexual Abuse
A staggering 5.7 million people aged 18 to 59 in Germany have experienced sexual violence as minors. That's almost six million individuals, with a shocking one out of every five women being affected [1]. The horror of these incidents spans various landscapes, as individuals share their stories for the first time.
The study, partnered by several research institutions, paints a disquieting picture. On average, the victims were just 11.2 years old when the abuse began. A disturbing pattern emerges, with victims experiencing repeated sexual assaults in nearly half of cases [1]. The younger the victim during their first abuse, the more likely they are to suffer multiple incidents, with the abuse lasting over three years on average [1].
A spectrum of horrors
Young women aged between 18 and 29 report sexual assaults most frequently, at a rate of 27.4% [1]. Girls are more often abused in their family and social circles, making up about one-third of all cases [1]. Boys tend to experience abuse in sports and leisure facilities, religious institutions, and child, youth, and family support networks [1].
Note that criminal activities are evident across all spheres where children and parents find a protective space. Approximately 32% of victims have already experienced sexual violence via the internet and social media [1]. Here, affected individuals most frequently report unwanted contacts with pornographic content, inappropriate questions about sexual matters, and unwanted sexual conversations [1].
The gravity of the acts
The study found that, in more than 95% of cases, touching occurred [1]. The most harrowing statistic is that penetration happened in nearly one out of every four cases [1]. A chilling 95% of the perpetrators were male [1]. This research probed instances against children under 14 and cases where minors aged 14 to 18 were abused against their will, as well as sexual harassment, coercion, and attempts at online grooming for later abuse [1].
A culture of fear and silence
Dr. Harald Dressing, a psychiatrist and project leader from Mannheim, remarked on the devastating impact of such crimes. He emphasized that sexual abuse can completely destroy a life [1]. Regrettably, many victims remain silent, overwhelmed by feelings of shame, guilt, and fear of not being believed [1]. Nearly one out of every three victims who participated in the study disclosed their experiences to the research team for the first time [1].
Over half of those affected had already shared their stories with someone else, while only 7% had filed a police report [1]. Furthermore, roughly 14% of victims had sought psychological treatment due to the abuse [1]. To address these issues, it's crucial to invest in more research to develop targeted protection strategies tailored to various settings, both institutional and home-based [1]. In particular, greater awareness and sensitivity are required to address cases within families [1].
References:[1] https://www.ntv.de/gesellschaft/sexuelle-belastungen-von-kindern-in-deutschand:dpa-studie-probe-unterschueberlich-hoher-ausmaess.html[2] https://www.dr-dressing.de/uploads/tx_resdnfo/bericht_daten._vorschau_240821_9a1584d5f95d1ce3f33ec3f1b6b23cf4.pdf[3] https://www.bmbf.de/de/dunkelfeld-studie-180953.html
- In the realm of health-and-wellness and mental-health, it's essential to develop community and employment policies that provide support for survivors of childhood sexual violence, who often grapple with lifelong repercussions and struggle to find reassurance, given the culture of fear and silence that so commonly persists.
- With a rise in cases of sexual violence occurring via the internet and social media, it's crucial for science to devise effective strategies to combat these crimes, ensuring a safer digital environment that promotes sexual-health education and awareness, particularly for young people who are more prone to online exploitation.
