Alarming levels of child exploitation are on the rise across Germany, according to Federal Special Representative for Combating Sexual Abuse of Children, Kerstin Claus, who issued a stark warning ahead of the European Day Against Human Trafficking. Claus voiced concerns over an escalating pattern of exploitation, citing the increasingly prevalent use of coercive prostitution, “loverboy” tactics, sextortion and even seemingly innocuous arrangements like “pocket money dating” to ensnare vulnerable young individuals.
Official data from the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) reveals record high numbers of reported cases since data collection began in 2000, a figure Claus emphasized likely represents only the tip of the iceberg. Agencies acknowledge a significant ‘dark figure’ of unreported instances remains.
The rise in cases underscores a systemic failure to adequately protect vulnerable children and calls for a substantial increase in the number of trained professionals capable of identifying and responding to trafficking indicators. Claus highlighted the model of Berlin, where a collaborative network of specialized youth welfare professionals, counselling services and police officers is actively working together. The effectiveness of this coordinated approach suggests a path toward more proactive intervention nationwide.
In response to the worsening situation, the Social Democratic Party-led Federal Ministry of Justice is reportedly preparing a legislative push to strengthen measures against exploitation and human trafficking. An internal draft, not previously disclosed, proposes significantly increasing the maximum prison sentence for human trafficking from five to ten years. This proposed legislation also expands the scope of the crime to explicitly cover exploitation within contexts such as surrogacy, adoption and forced marriage.
The impending legislative changes aim to implement amendments to the European anti-human trafficking directive ratified in 2024 and represents a necessary, though potentially overdue, reform of existing statutes which were last revised in 2016. Critics argue that while the proposed changes are important, they must be paired with increased resources and preventative programs to truly address the root causes of vulnerability and effectively safeguard young people from these increasingly sophisticated exploitation schemes. The success of the new legislation will hinge not only on its punitive measures, but also on its capacity to foster a culture of vigilance and protection across all sectors involved in child welfare and social services.