Sexualized violence against children and young people is still widespread. However, the crime statistics only record the crimes and suspects that have come to the attention of the police. A significant proportion of the crimes committed remain undetected. This is referred to as a “dark field”. In addition, there is insufficient knowledge not only about the extent of the abuse, but also about the very different contexts of the crimes and the respective consequences of the abuse. 

Extent and contexts of abuse

The German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), the Central Institute of Mental Health (CIMH) in Mannheim, the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Ulm University Hospital and the Institute of Criminology at Heidelberg University are therefore jointly launching a representative national dark field study on the frequency, situational context and consequences of sexualized violence to the detriment of children and adolescents.

“A Germany-wide dark field study that examines these issues in a sufficiently large and representative sample is long overdue,” says Prof. Dr. Harald Dreßing, Head of Forensic Psychiatry at the Central Institute of Mental Health, who is coordinating the study. Expanding our knowledge of sexualized violence in terms of frequency, situational context and the consequences for those affected is particularly important in times of multiple crises (corona, war in Ukraine, etc.), which have led to a “mental health crisis” (EU Parliament), as early stress experienced is also crucial for dealing with these crises.

Funding acquired

In addition to the funds provided by the participating institutions, it was also possible to acquire funding. The study is supported by the WEISSER RING Foundation, the Eckiger Tisch association and the Federal Association of the Child Protection Association. The study is being carried out together with the Infratest dimap polling institute. 
Contact with the selected persons is made by written mail. They can decide individually whether they would like to complete a paper questionnaire or the questionnaire online on a website. In total, the survey will take place in 92 municipalities in Germany selected on the basis of a random sample, ensuring a representative picture of the German-speaking resident population aged between 18 and 59. Questionnaires are sent to 100 citizens in each municipality. The data is analyzed anonymously by the participating research institutes.