Slight decrease: fewer threats to children's welfare in the Rhine district of Neuss!

Slight decrease: fewer threats to children's welfare in the Rhine district of Neuss!

In the Rhine district of Neuss there has been a slight decrease in child welfare threats. According to a current evaluation by youth welfare offices, carried out by news894 was published, the authorities had to intervene in almost 1,400 suspected cases last year. This is around 80 fewer than the year before. Particularly striking was the previous spike in suspected cases, which had heightened concerns about the safety of children in the region.

The figures show that youth welfare offices recorded 150 cases of acute child welfare endangerment in which immediate measures were necessary. In around 80 other cases, no acute danger could be identified, but a latent danger remained. According to statistics, the most common signs of endangerment of children's well-being were neglect and physical and psychological abuse.

Types of child endangerment

Statistics distinguish between four main types of child endangerment, such as: destatis reported:

• Vernachlässigung
• Körperliche Misshandlung
• Psychische Misshandlung
• Sexuelle Gewalt

It is important to know that children and young people are often affected by several of these types of danger at the same time, and multiple answers are therefore possible. An acute threat to a child's well-being is characterized by significant damage that cannot be averted, while latent threats only represent important indications of a possible danger.

Child protection in Germany

The protection of children in Germany is based on a clear legal framework. Since 2000, children have had the right to a non-violent upbringing, as in bpb held. This protection and assistance is not only voluntary, but can also be enforced against the will of the parents, which, according to the Basic Law, obliges the state to take action if there are indications that the child's well-being is at risk.

In 2022, around 62,300 cases of child endangerment were identified across Germany, which is the highest level since 2012. What is particularly shocking is that 59% of these cases showed signs of neglect and 35% involved psychological abuse. Additionally, infants and young children under the age of three are particularly at risk, with 68% of reports indicating neglect.

Another problem area is the taking into care of minors, which is often due to parents being overwhelmed or needing protection from neglect or physical abuse. In 2022, a total of around 66,400 temporary protection measures were carried out, which underlines the need for targeted support offers for families.

In the region, it is therefore crucial to be attentive and work together for the well-being of children. Developments over the past few years show that the issue of child welfare remains highly topical and that everyone involved is called upon to actively promote the protection of children.