- More than twenty thousand instances suspected of inherent threats to child protection.
In Bavaria, the number of suspected child welfare issues shows a minor dip. Last year, youth welfare agencies reported 20,295 suspected risk evaluations, as revealed by the State Statistical Office. In 2022, the count climbed to 21,102.
For the year 2023, there were 2,621 instances of acute and 2,202 instances of latent child welfare risks. The primary causes included traces of neglect and mental or physical abuse.
In 7,285 risk assessments, no child welfare issues were identified, yet assistance was required. Conversely, in 8,187 cases, neither child welfare concerns nor further assistance need was detected.
Youth welfare offices often receive tips from the police, courts, or the public prosecutor's office. Schools come in second, followed by acquaintances or neighbors. Sometimes, cases are reported anonymously as well.
A child welfare issue arises when a child or adolescent's physical, mental, and emotional health is significantly compromised due to the actions or inactions of parents or external parties. This could potentially lead to temporary or permanent damage to the child's development. This can manifest in various forms such as neglect or psychological or physical abuse.
If there are signs suggesting that a child or adolescent's well-being is at risk, the youth welfare office is obligated to conduct a risk assessment.
In the report for 2024, the number of child welfare issues showed a slight decrease, with 20,760 instances compared to 2023. Despite this, the cause of concern remained neglect and mental or physical abuse, which saw a slight increase in instances.
Facing a surge in reported cases, Bavarian youth welfare agencies have been exploring options to strengthen their resources and address these issues more effectively in the forthcoming years.
