A stark warning has been issued regarding a concerning surge in the exploitation of young people across Germany, coinciding with the European Day Against Human Trafficking. Kerstin Claus, the Independent Federal Commissioner for the Prevention of Sexual Abuse of Children, voiced deep concern over the escalating prevalence of forced prostitution, “loverboy” tactics, sextortion and the increasingly exploited realm of “pocket money dating.
Claus underscored the alarming statistic that the Federal Criminal Police Office’s current assessment reveals “the highest case numbers” since data collection began in 2000. Crucially, she emphasized the significant underreporting problem, suggesting the true scale of the issue is substantially greater than official figures indicate. “We are witnessing a constant rise in human trafficking for the sexual exploitation of children and adolescents and urgent action is required” she stated.
Highlighting the urgent need for enhanced protection, Claus specifically called for a substantial increase in the number of trained professionals capable of identifying and responding to signs of human trafficking within child and youth welfare services. She championed the collaborative model employed in Berlin, where specially trained officials from youth welfare offices, advisory services and the police work in concert, as a potential blueprint for nationwide implementation.
Simultaneously, a previously undisclosed draft proposal from the Social Democratic Party-led Federal Ministry of Justice signals a planned intensification of the government’s efforts to combat exploitation and human trafficking. The draft proposes significantly harsher penalties, increasing the maximum prison sentence for human trafficking offenses from five to ten years. A critical expansion of the legal definition is also included, bringing exploitation related to surrogacy, adoption and forced marriage under the umbrella of human trafficking offenses, reflecting a broadening understanding of the crime’s multifaceted nature.
This legislative initiative aims to transpose amendments introduced to the European directive against trafficking into German law, demonstrating a commitment to align national legislation with evolving international standards. However, critics argue that legislative changes alone are insufficient and that significant investment in preventative measures, victim support and improved inter-agency cooperation remains essential to effectively tackle this insidious crime and safeguard vulnerable young people. The effectiveness of this new legislation will rest not only on its punitive power but also on its ability to foster a more proactive and responsive national response to human trafficking.