The latest crime statistics from Germany show a significant increase in the dissemination of child and youth pornography. The number of violent crimes in the country has also risen, with record highs in the categories of dangerous and severe bodily harm. There is a concerning increase in the spread of child pornography as well. This is reflected in the Polizeiliche Kriminalstatistik (PKS) for 2023, which will be officially presented by Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser.
The crime of disseminating pornographic content has increased by 9.3 percent to a total of 59,205 cases in Germany. The majority of these cases involve the distribution of pornographic material featuring children, with a total of 45,191 cases recorded, an increase of 7.4 percent from the previous year. The number of cases involving youth pornography has seen an even larger increase, with 8,851 cases reported, marking a 31.2 percent rise.
The increase in these crimes can be attributed to the trend of children and teenagers unknowingly sharing child and youth pornography in group chats and on social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook. Furthermore, the availability of internet-enabled devices has made it easier for such illegal content to be disseminated. The involvement of minors in these crimes is significant, with 40.6 percent of all suspects being under 18 years of age.
The statistics also reveal a significant increase in cases of child sexual abuse, which have risen by 5.5 percent to 16,375 cases compared to the previous year. High-profile cases such as the sexual abuse incidents in the town of Lügde have encouraged victims to come forward and report such crimes, leading to a decrease in societal tolerance for these offenses. Changes in legislation regarding sexual offenses have also contributed to the increase in reported cases.
Overall, the total number of crimes in Germany has increased by 5.5 percent to 5.94 million in the past year. The clearance rate for all recorded crimes stands at 58.4 percent. Additionally, the number of suspects has increased by 7.3 percent to 2.246 million, with over 400,000 of them being immigrants. The statistics also indicate a significant rise in the number of child and youth suspects, with non-German individuals comprising a substantial portion of these offenders.
The surge in violence in Germany is particularly alarming, with 214,099 cases of violent crimes reported – the highest in 15 years. Incidents of dangerous and severe bodily harm have reached record levels as well. The authorities attribute this rise in criminal activity to various factors, including the increased availability of internet-enabled devices and the prevalence of child and youth pornography on social media platforms. Efforts are being made to address these issues and improve the safety and security of vulnerable populations.
