Federal Situation Report by the Federal Criminal Police OfficeSignificant Increase in Sexual Violence Against Children Online
Sexual Violence Against Children
According to the Federal Situation Report, there were a total of 17,126 cases of sexual violence against children and adolescents in 2025. Of these, approximately 5,000 cases fell into the category “Sexual Abuse of Children—Influencing Children Without Physical Contact.” This means that children or adolescents were persuaded, for example through chat messages, to take sexual images of themselves or to perform sexual acts on themselves during a livestream.
Initiating sexual contact with children online is referred to as cybergrooming. Although this type of sexual violence is most commonly perpetrated by adult male offenders, the Federal Situation Report shows that in 2025, approximately one in three suspects in cases of sexual violence against children was under the age of 18. The number of male suspects was also higher in this age group.
The figures show that there is an urgent need for more educational efforts on the topic of sexual violence in the digital space. On the one hand, to equip children and adolescents with the knowledgeto recognize sexual assaults, defend themselves, and seek help. On the other hand, figures from the Federal Criminal Police Office show that a significant proportion of sexual violence against children is perpetrated by other children and adolescents. In addition, thousands of children and adolescents come under the scrutiny of law enforcement authorities because they send sexualized images of themselves or other children and adolescents over the Internet. More on this in the next section.
klicksafe resources on the topic of cybergrooming
Our teaching material “Cybergrooming – Sexual Violence on the Internet” contains a wealth of background information on the topic and also offers three practical projects for working with young people. With the help of these practical projects, the topic of sexual violence on the Internet can be addressed in both school and out-of-school educational settings.
The "Cybergrooming in Elementary School" resource raises awareness of this topic among elementary school-aged children. Throughout the series, the class follows the squirrel Flizzy. While playing, Flizzy encounters strange people and odd messages. The class helps Flizzy out of danger and, in the process, learns about and applies various safety strategies.
The parent resource “And Then He Wanted Nude Photos: How to Empower Your Child Against Online Sexual Harassment” answers parents’ most important questions about cybergrooming and helps them talk to their children about it.
The information brochure “FIGHT BACK! Against Sexualized Violence Online” shows young people how they can protect themselves from cybergrooming online and defend themselves against it.
On our poster “Warning Signs in Chat” , teens can find tips on when to be wary online. We also show where victims can get confidential, free help and report sexual violence online.
Production and Distribution of Recordings of Sexual Violence Against Children
Although the number of cases involving the production, distribution, acquisition, and possession of images depicting sexual violence against children has declined slightly (-2.7%), it remains at a high level at around 42,000 cases. Here, too, it is evident that children and adolescents are involved both as victims and as perpetrators. Nearly half (44%) of the suspects were under 18 years of age. In cases involving the distribution of so-called “child pornography,” the proportion of suspects under 18 was as high as 53%.
In its national situation report, the Federal Criminal Police Office points out that offenses involving depictions of sexual violence against children and adolescents are primarily committed via the Internet. Among other things, digital phenomena such as sexual abuse in live streaming and sextortion play a role.
klicksafe resources on the topic of image-based sexual violence
The teaching material “Selfies, Sexting, Self-Presentation” provides an overview of the services most commonly used by young people and explains the risks involved, such as problematic role models, violent communication, or the misuse of intimate images.
The flyer “F***, I’m Being Blackmailed with Nude Photos!” by klicksafe and JUUUPORT provides specific case studies, practical tips for protecting against sextortion, recommendations for those affected, legal facts, and information on where to turn for help and counseling.
In our podcast “klicksafe asks… why do minors share images of abuse?” we speak with Holger Kind, head of the Child Pornography Unit at the Federal Criminal Police Office, about how to explain the high number of minors suspected of distributing images of abuse. And how we can help prevent the distribution of child abuse images through education and media literacy.
In our webinar “Loverboy, Cybergrooming, Sextortion—Protecting Children and Teens from Sexual Exploitation,” , parents and education professionals learn about the forms of sexual violence to which children and adolescents may be exposed online. The webinar was supported by the Rhineland-Palatinate State Criminal Police Office.
