Sexualized violence occurs in different contexts, and there are many different constellations between perpetrators and victims. This article deals primarily with acts that take place in an institutional context and are detrimental to children and adolescents, as special dynamics play a role here that are also of particular importance for the respective institutional protection concepts. Sexual abuse most often occurs within the victim's own family and circle of friends, with girls significantly more likely to be affected than boys. However, a significant proportion of sexualized violence also takes place within the sphere of responsibility of institutions. In educational institutions, in sports and leisure facilities, in the church's sphere of responsibility, and in institutions for child, youth, and family welfare, boys are significantly more frequently affected by sexual violence than girls.

Sexualized violence occurs in different contexts, and there are many different constellations between perpetrators and victims. This article deals primarily with acts that take place in an institutional context and are detrimental to children and adolescents, as special dynamics play a role here that are also of particular importance for the respective institutional protection concepts. Sexual abuse most often occurs within the victim's own family and circle of friends, with girls significantly more likely to be affected than boys. However, a significant proportion of sexualized violence also takes place within the sphere of responsibility of institutions. In educational institutions, in sports and leisure facilities, in the church's sphere of responsibility, and in institutions for child, youth, and family welfare, boys are significantly more frequently affected by sexual violence than girls.

BACKGROUND:Sexual violence against children and adolescents is widespread around the world. Current knowledge about the extent of this often concealed problem and the situational contexts in which it occurs is insufficient, not only in Germany. METHODS:A representative sample of the German population aged 18 to 59 was selected for this survey with the aid of Infratest dimap (a private polling company). The participants were asked to fill in a combination of written postal and online questionnaires in a mixedmode design from January to October 2024. RESULTS:10 000 people were contacted in writing (response rate: 30.2%). 12.7% [11.5; 13.9] stated that they were affected by sexual violence, including 20.6% of all women and 4.8% of all men. Men had more frequently experienced sexual violence in sports and leisure facilities, in a church context, and in the setting of government- provided child, youth, and family services. 37.4% [32.6; 42.2] of the affected persons had not previously reported the crime to anyone. 31.7% [30.0; 33.4] of respondents reported sexual violence via the internet and social media. The mental health of affected persons was poorer than that of unaffected persons. CONCLUSION:Many cases of sexual violence go unreported. The different settings in which these offenses are committed, e.g., the preponderance of male victims in institutional settings, further imply a need for differentiated protection strategies, addressing both potential victims and potential perpetrators.

Aggression and violence are common day to day problems in psychiatric settings. However, the optimal means of assessing that risk remains unclear. In the context of that uncertainty many tools have evolved, among which the HCR-20 is one of the most globally accepted, though many questions remain about its performance, how and when it should be deployed and how it can be most effectively used. In this 12 month follow up study of 210 forensic psychiatric inpatients with a diagnosis of a schizophrenia spectrum disorder we explored these issues. We found that the performance of the HCR-20v3, especially its Total score, performed well up to 6 months after it was rated but its performance deteriorated after that. Repeating the HCR-20v3 at 6 months stabilised the risk assessment and led to improved performance in the second months over and above the first rating. The HCR-20v3 was good at identifying those subjects at low risk of violence over 6 months of follow up in a forensic inpatient setting. The real-world implications of this study are that the HCR-20v3 is an effective means of identifying patient at low risk of violence, but it should be reassessed every 6 months.

OBJECTIVE:The current study assesses prevalence rates, circumstances and consequences of sexual abuse in childhood and adolescence.METHODS:A random sample from an urban population (18-69 years) was surveyed by postal or online questionnaire. Instruments included WHO-5 well-being index, knowledge on support services for children and adolescents experiencing sexual abuse, incidents and consequences of sexual abuse.RESULTS:159 persons returned the questionnaire (17.3%). 18.2% experienced sexual abuse. Of these, 34.5% disclosed sexual abuse for the first time. Psychological well-being was significantly lower in sexually abused persons. There was a lack of knowledge regarding support services for sexually abused ones.CONCLUSION:The present design is applicable in the context of a nationwide representative survey on childhood sexual abuse and provides insights into the field of concealed sexual abuse.

In der Diskussion über die Frage, wie eine unabhängige Aufarbeitung sexualisierter Gewalt in den Kirchen gelingen kann, stellen sich drei grundsätzliche Fragen. Erstens: Was unterscheidet wissenschaftliche Analyse von Aufarbeitung? Zweitens: Was sind die Grundprinzipien von Aufarbeitung und speziell einer Aufarbeitung im Raum der Kirchen? Drittens und letztens: Wie sind bisherige Aufarbeitungsbemühungen im kirchlichen Kontext zu bewerten?

Forensic therapy according to section 64 of the German penal code is currently characterized by high drop-out rates. The shortened therapy concept of the Department of Forensic Psychiatry of the Pfalzklinikum focusing on patients with favorable prognostic characteristics presented here is intended to lead to a shortening of hospital stay by promoting initiative, responsibility and motivation. It is supposed to provide a treatment as individualized and disorder-oriented as possible and appropriate to the individual time of detention as well as the specific kind of offense with intensified testing under everyday conditions. However, so far empirical evidence for this concept is lacking. For the first time, pilot data for the period from April 2016 to May 2021 are presented here. The concept described herein has proven to be feasible. The collected data hint at a lower drop-out rate of patients treated according the shortened therapy concept compared to the average of all patients assigned to forensic treatment according to section 64 of the German penal code. Yet, there was no evidence for a significant shortening of hospital stay. The present work aims at making a first contribution to the discussion and further development of such treatment options. Possible disadvantages for patients who are found to be unsuitable, e.g. those with a decrease in therapeutic motivation, are discussed.