From 14 to 25 October, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the sale and sexual exploitation of children, Mama Fatima Singhateh, will visit Germany to assess the current situation and progress in relation to preventing, combating and raising awareness of sexualised violence against children. At the invitation of the German Federal Government, she will be travelling the country and meeting with various stakeholders to obtain first-hand information. She will then prepare a report on her experience and the insights gained. This is to be presented at the 61st session of the Human Rights Committee in March 2026.

In the run-up to the state visit, it was possible to submit submissions and comments to the special rapporteur in preparation for her visit. The Stiftung Digitale Chancen (Digital Opportunities Foundation) submitted a statement in which it particularly addresses the situation of sexualised violence against young people in the digital environment. With reference to the recent amendment of the Penal Code, the statement argues for the legalisation of consensual sexting in accordance with paragraph 118 of General Comment No. 25, presents the concept of personal integrity and calls for the concept of abuse (translated in German as Missbrauch [misuse]) to be abandoned in favour of sexualised violence.

The full statement of the Digital Opportunities Foundation can be viewed here.