In 2020, there were 18,761 cases of child pornography in Germany. Particularly alarming: the suspects included 1,333 adolescents and 575 children. In order to educate minors about how dangerous it is to distribute child and youth pornography, the police crime prevention department of the federal states launched the #soundswrong and #denkenstattsenden campaigns.
In the context of the "7th European Day for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Violence" on November 18, 2021, the Lippe police are raising awareness of the punishable distribution of such content in chats and messenger services and appealing to parents and children: Help stop these acts and protect children from sexual exploitation and sexual violence.
What many people do not realize is that the victims in these cases are not only the people who can be seen in the videos or images, but also the people who are sent such content unprepared or have to watch it. These victims can also experience massive psychological problems.
What is child pornography content anyway?
The fact is: Section 184 b StGB prohibits the acquisition, possession and distribution of images or film recordings, as well as writings and graphic depictions of sexual acts on and by children. There is a penalty if the following content is included:
- sexual acts by, on or in front of a child (a person under the age of 14)
- the depiction of a fully or partially unclothed child in a provocative, sexually suggestive posture or
- the sexually suggestive depiction of the unclothed genitals or unclothed buttocks of a child
Content such as images and videos are considered child pornography if the persons depicted are under 14 years of age. If the persons depicted are aged 14 or over and under 18, the content is considered to be youth pornography.
As a result of the 2021 amendments to sexual criminal law, all acts relating to actual or realistic child pornography content are considered crimes, for example drawings, mangas, comics or WhatsApp stickers. The penalties for this have been drastically increased. Anyone who distributes depictions of abuse must expect a minimum prison sentence of one year. Underage perpetrators are also liable to prosecution.
What to do in the event of suspicion
Do you suspect that child and/or youth pornographic content is present on your smartphone, notebook, tablet, PC or on a person close to you?
The following applies:
- File a report with the police and ask them what you should do next!
- Do not forward the material and do not take screenshots of the images! Otherwise you could make yourself liable to prosecution.
- Do not delete anything without consulting the police!
- Secure the devices on which the abusive images are located and keep the batteries charged!
- Hold the device ready as evidence!
- Wait for further instructions from your police!
Parents, children and young people can also call the "Nummer gegen Kummer" for advice on many different topics. The number for parents is (0800) 1110550, the number for children and young people is 116111.
What adults can do ...
Show moral courage and always report suspicious images to the social network operator, the Internet Complaints Office and the police. Talk to your children and educate them about child and adolescent pornographic content to prevent the spread of abusive images. Children and young people often spread abusive images out of ignorance. They usually use devices for which the legal guardians are the connection owners. In the case of criminal prosecution, these connection owners are the first to be checked, so you yourself can become a suspect. By raising your children's awareness, you can protect your family from nasty surprises and actively help to combat the spread of abusive images.
The police appeal to all parents: Think carefully about whether your children should already have apps with an age limit on their cell phone if they have not yet reached that age. These apps in particular often contain images that are not yet intended for your children's eyes. If your child already has a cell phone and uses apps such as Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, WhatsApp etc., a media usage agreement between parents and child is advisable. Here, both parties can define wishes and rules for using the smartphone and other media; for example, that parents also have access to the child's cell phone, that only certain apps and usage times are specified and that children never pass on personal information about themselves to strangers online (keyword: Cybergrooming).
What children and young people can do ...
Has someone sent you a pornographic picture or tried to persuade you to send pictures of yourself? Are you in a chat group where pictures or videos are sent that make you feel uncomfortable? Then contact your parents or another trusted person and ask for support. You can also ask the police for help at any time.
Police advice by phone from the Lippe police on November 30, 2021
The Crime Prevention and Victim Protection Department will be offering telephone advice on November 30, 2021 on (05231) 609 3815 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the subject of the distribution of child and youth pornographic content. Adults as well as children and young people have the opportunity to ask questions, obtain information or report tips.
If you find and report images of abuse online, you are providing important protection for children and young people. After a report, the police can take up the investigation and stop the further distribution of the prohibited material. Help us to solve crimes!