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German Bundestag (symbol picture)
Photo: Kay Nietfeld / dpa
Child abuse and child pornography will in future be regarded as crimes in principle.
That was decided by the Bundestag.
The corresponding draft law of the grand coalition provides that the sexual abuse of children and the distribution, possession and procurement of pictures and films with the corresponding content will in future be punished with a minimum sentence of one year in prison.
This makes these acts a crime.
In addition, investigators should be given more powers to monitor cell phones or computers in connection with such crimes.
There are also new rules for the extended certificate of good conduct that child carers or trainers have to present.
Certain offenses that occurred a long or very long time ago will also have to be entered there in the future.
Cases in Münster, Lügde and Bergisch Gladbach
It is also provided that the possession of sex dolls that look like children is a criminal offense.
In court hearings, the interests of affected children should be given greater consideration through obligations to provide child-friendly hearing.
The background to the changes are the major cases of abuse in Münster, Lügde and Bergisch Gladbach, which were uncovered in the past two years.
The project is also justified by the fact that the Internet, social networks and online games with chat functions have increased the risk potential for children both in the virtual and in the real world, according to the draft law.
This makes it "easier than ever" to establish contact with minors for sexual reasons.
The law finally has to be passed by the Federal Council.
The German Association of Judges (DRB) welcomes the decision of the Bundestag.
It is right to use criminal law to protect children from abuse in the best possible way, says DRB Federal Managing Director Sven Rebehn.
However, Rebehn continues, it is regrettable that "the grand coalition, with its plans to increase penalties, is overriding numerous concerns of those applying the law and ignoring more targeted alternative proposals."
Johannes-Wilhelm Rörig, Independent Commissioner for Child Sexual Abuse Issues (UBSKM), said he was delighted with the new law.
The draft contains a number of positive changes.
"The fact that convictions for sexual offenses will in future be stored longer than before in the extended certificate of good conduct and that proceedings with underage victims' witnesses are to be carried out more quickly is very welcome," said Rörig.
bam / dpa
