Abuses in German daycare centres on the rise – survey

 

BERLIN – The number of reports of abuse in daycare centres as well as suspected misconduct by employees increased in some German states last year, according to a survey of supervisory authorities by dpa.

In Berlin daycare centres there were 83 cases of behaviour reported in 2022 that were on the borderline of illegal behaviour towards children – the highest number in the past four years. This also included suspected cases, the education administration announced.

In nearby Brandenburg, 82 suspected cases of assaultive behaviour by employees towards children were reported to the Ministry of Education. In 2021, there were 56 cases.

Lower Saxony also recorded an increase. These cases involved hitting, pinching, tugging, sexual or verbal assaults and force-feeding. In the states of Rhineland and North Rhine-Westphalia, authorities listed a total of 271 cases of child misconduct in 2022, 46 more than the year before.

In Thuringia, more sexual assaults were registered, according to authorities.

The Child Protection Association complained that too little research was being done. Child protection expert Jörg Maywald said, “In fact, the data situation is difficult.”

Standards in the daycare centres and the sensitivity around the issue have increased. In order to prevent assaults, child care providers nationwide are legally required to have violence protection policies.

However these policies have not yet been implemented nationwide, Maywald said.