“Day of the Innocent Children”: Police clarify sexual abuse
Created: 12/28/2021, 4:41 PM
On the occasion of the “Day of Innocent Children”, the Bavarian police explain the sexual abuse of children.
(Symbolic picture) © Rolf Poss / IMAGO
In memory of the dead children because of King Herod's lust for power, the Upper Palatinate police clarified on December 28th about sexual abuse.
Regensburg - This year, too, the church will remember children on December 28th.
Specifically, it is about those who because of King Herod's greed for power in the 1st / 2nd
Year after the birth of Christ.
On the occasion of the “Day of Innocent Children”, the Bavarian police explain the sexual abuse of children.
The focus is on tips on how to behave in suspected cases and prevention.
Just showing them, looking at pornographic images together or exposing their genitals are acts of abuse, as the police wrote in a message.
Adults and young people between the ages of 14 and 18 are therefore liable to prosecution if they commit sexual acts on a child (under the age of 14) or have them performed by a child.
Regensburg: Sexual acts on or with children are always punishable
Sexual violence is complex.
Accordingly, there are a large number of different penalties.
In recent years, the criminal law has tightened accordingly.
In 2021, for example, the range of sentences for sexual abuse was increased - from one to up to fifteen years' imprisonment.
Since last year, the distribution, acquisition and possession of child pornography has been classified as a crime.
There is a risk of imprisonment of one to five years, in the case of widening even up to ten years.
But what exactly is child pornography?
By definition, it includes "all pornographic writings in which sexual acts with children are shown or described," writes the Upper Palatinate Police Headquarters.
This also includes videos and images.
Infants are victims too
Infants and toddlers are also repeatedly exposed to sexual violence.
The average child is between six and thirteen years old.
There is no special type of victim.
However, children with physical or mental disabilities or those who received little emotional support from their adult caregiver are particularly at risk.
These children are less able to protect themselves or not at all to communicate.
The perpetrators often gain the children's trust and exploit an unequal balance of power.
Therefore, they often come from closer social surroundings, and it is not uncommon for the deeds to take place within one's own four walls.
In addition to men, women, young people and children are also perpetrators.
High number of unreported cases
The offenses range from verbal harassment and contact to brutal rape.
The perpetrators often threaten their victims and thus silence them.
That is why it is currently assumed that there is a high number of unreported cases.
The statistics are therefore only of limited informative value, according to the police.
In 2020 the cases of sexual abuse of children in the Upper Palatinate alone rose from 104 (2019) to 156.
In the case of child pornography, the numbers are even more dramatic: According to crime statistics, the number rose from 146 (2019) to 247 (2020).
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Action is extremely important
The children are dependent on the help of adults, as they usually do not trust the little ones with anyone because the perpetrator or perpetrators intimidate them.
The rule is: intervene immediately in suspected cases!
The police advise:
Protect children with your knowledge.
Find out about the facts and risks - ignorance encourages abuse.
Protect children through your openness.
Don't make abuse a taboo - this is helping victims to confide in themselves.
Protect children with your attention.
Often there are signals of abuse, such as changes in behavior, but especially injuries in the genital area.
Protect children with your trust.
Trust what children say.
Children seldom invent a crime committed against them.
Protect children through your actions.
Take care of affected children, get help, for example from advice centers and report to the police.
It is also important to deal with the child in a trusting manner, this promotes their self-confidence and makes it easier for them to open up to difficult topics.
Safety rules for when you are out and about and when using the Internet can also reduce the risk of children becoming victims.
For caregivers, the police advise:
Take what children say seriously.
Listen to them.
Believe you.
Do not apply pressure or try to influence the child with pre-formulated statements.
Avoid accusations and blame!
The responsibility for the act lies solely with the perpetrator.
Plan the next steps, do not act over the child's head.
Get help from a counseling center.
Report it to the police.
The faster you file a criminal complaint, the more traces, objects and evidence can be secured and documented and further acts prevented.
Let the police do the addressing of the suspect.
Regensburg: Contact point for suspected cases
Above all, psychological damage, in addition to physical damage, is often felt by the children for a long time.
Therefore, the following applies: In the event of suspected cases, contact the police station or the specialist department of the criminal investigation department at any time.
This is where the police officers for crime victims (BPfK) work and support the victims.
In addition, the detectives explain to relatives / victims which counseling centers there are, how criminal proceedings are carried out and what rights victims of violence have.
