Germany: Special Rapporteur calls for consistent approach to child protection across the country

BERLIN – Germany has done significant work towards prevention and protection of children from sale, sexual abuse and exploitation, a UN expert said today, urging the country to adopt a national child protection strategy with an oversight mechanism to ensure consistency and harmony of approaches and implementation across the country.

In a statement at the end of a 12-day visit to the country, Mama Fatima Singhateh, Special Rapporteur on the sale and sexual exploitation of children, commended Germany’s increased attention and resources to improve policy, legal and institutional frameworks, such as the Independent Commissioner for Child Sexual Abuse Issue, Survivors' Board, Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse as well as National Rapporteur Mechanism for Trafficking in Human Beings.

“Each federal state and municipality in Germany adopts varying approaches and practices on child protection, which impacts the care and services provided to the children. A child anywhere in Germany should receive equal protection of their rights and similar support services and care,” the expert said.

“In order to effectively prevent and combat sale, sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children, there is a need for sustainable and consistent intersectoral collaboration among relevant stakeholders in the youth welfare office, health services, child psychology, counselling centers, police offices, courts and educational institutions among others,” she said.

Singhateh visited Childhood Houses in Berlin and Dusseldorf where relevant professions involved in responding to child sexual abuse and exploitation come together under one roof in a child-friendly environment to work together in a coordinated and collaborative manner. “This is a good practice that should be replicated in all federal states of Germany,” the expert said.

“There is also a need for mandatory training on the rights of children and their protection from sexual exploitation and abuse in all its manifestations, including in the digital environment. These trainings should be designed for professionals who work with or come into contact with children,” Singhateh said.

The Special Rapporteur also travelled to Dusseldorf, Cologne and Wiesbaden and met with representatives of the federal, state and local government, police, judges, members of the civil society and academia, service and care providers, and children.

Singhateh will present a comprehensive report of her findings and recommendations to the UN Human Rights Council in March 2026.