New law strengthens structures to protect children and young people from sexual abuse

On July 1, 2025, a new law came into force in Germany that significantly strengthens the protection of children and young people from sexual abuse. With the "Law to strengthen structures against sexual violence against children and young people“, institutions, clubs and organizations that work with minors are obliged to develop and implement comprehensive protection concepts.

The office of the Independent Commissioner for Issues of Child Sexual Abuse (UBSKM) will be established by law and permanently. A regular report to the Bundestag, Bundesrat, and Federal Government will ensure the consistent development of policy measures. The Victims' Council will be firmly established as a political advisory body, ensuring that the perspectives and concerns of victims are systematically incorporated into political processes.

The Independent Commission for the Investigation of the Past will continue to conduct confidential and public hearings. Protection plans and case analyses are to become binding quality standards throughout child and youth welfare services. In addition, a medical consultation service for child protection professionals will be established.  

Assessment and classification by Women's Shelter Coordination eV

The Women's Shelter Coordination Association (FHK) welcomes the law as an important milestone in the fight against sexual violence against children and adolescents. The connection between children's witnessing of intimate partner violence and an increased risk for affected children of experiencing sexual violence within the family themselves is well documented in research.

There is often an overlap between violence against children and violence against the mother. Children affected by sexual abuse are more than twice as likely to have witnessed and witnessed violence against a parent.[1] Women's shelters are therefore also an important component of the support system and child protection. Their legal anchoring strengthens quality development in child protection.

FHK points out that the law alone is not sufficient to better protect children and young people from sexual violence. Issues such as sexual violence in the digital space, gender-based violence in teenage relationships, the connection between sexual violence against children and intimate partner violence require constant resources for prevention and intervention.

Only with a strong, networked support system can protection against violence be improved in the long term.

[1] Kindler, Heinz (2013): Intimate Partner Violence and Impairments in Child Development: An Updated Research Review. In: Kavemann,

Barbara/Kreyssing, Ulrike (eds.): Handbook of Children and Domestic Violence. Wiesbaden: Springer VS, pp. 27–46.

Deegener, Günther (2014): Child Abuse - Recognizing, Helping, Preventing. Weinheim: Beltz-Verlag.