Family Minister Paus has launched a campaign to better protect children from sexual violence. It is aimed at adults – because Paus sees them as responsible.
Federal Minister for Family Affairs Lisa Paus wants to better protect children from sexual violence. To this end, she presented the “Don’t push away your responsibility” campaign aimed at adults in Berlin. “An enlightened, vigilant environment protects children and young people much better from violence,” said the Green politician.
The campaign messages will be distributed via television spots, posters, information materials and social media, among other things. There are also plans to strengthen local networks and community initiatives. “With the campaign we are clearly appealing to adults’ sense of responsibility,” said Paus. The Independent Commissioner for Issues of Child Sexual Abuse (UBSKM), Kerstin Claus, added: “We adults are the ones who are responsible here.” It’s about everyone being able to make the difference.
Second campaign
The minister launched the first phase of the campaign around a year ago under the motto “Don’t push the idea away”. The aim was to raise awareness of the fact that sexual violence against children and young people often takes place in their own environment. The second phase that has now started is intended, among other things, to provide information about which signals should be paid attention to and where help and advice is available.
At the same time, Paus announced that she wanted to take steps in November to legally anchor and strengthen the Federal Government’s Office of the Abuse Commissioner. An independent investigation into sexual abuse in Germany and an obligation to report to the Bundestag are also planned. Paus announced that the cabinet could approve the draft law at the beginning of next year and then introduce it to the Bundestag.
Abuse, especially in the family environment
According to the current situation report from the Federal Criminal Police Office, there were around 17,000 cases of sexual violence against children in 2022 – that is, on average, at least 45 people affected every day. The number of unreported cases is much higher, it was said. In almost one in seven cases, the child had not yet reached the age of six.
The situation is shocking and difficult to bear, said Paus. Most perpetrators are familiar with the children affected and take advantage of this trust – acts of violence occur particularly within the family and the immediate environment. This led to the start of the campaign last year.