The number of unreported cases is alarming: one in three girls is a victim of sexual violence!

The number of unreported cases is alarming: one in three girls is a victim of sexual violence!

Sexual abuse of children and young people is an issue that often remains in the shadows, but could not be more urgent. A live consultation, moderated by Maria Harmer, will take place on January 22, 2026 at 4:05 p.m. on Austrian radio. The experts include Daniela Dörfler, gynecologist at the Vienna General Hospital, and Christine Bodendorfer, psychotherapist and trauma therapist. The focus of the discussion will be, among other things, contact points in an emergency, what to do if sexual abuse is suspected, and long-term support for affected children and young people.

An international study published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics reveals that the number of unreported cases of sexual violence against children is alarmingly high. It is estimated that every third to fifth girl in Austria is affected by sexual violence. This is also confirmed by another study from Germany, which shows that 20 percent of women and 12.7 percent of 18 to 59 year olds have experienced sexual violence as children or young people in recent years. The study coordinator Harald Dressing describes the extent as “frighteningly large” and refers to a “large dark field”.

The reality of those affected

The data shows that in over 95 percent of cases the perpetrators are male. Girls are often affected by family and friends, while boys often become victims in sports and leisure facilities as well as in church contexts. This information shows how diverse the problem is and how important it is that those affected find support. Only around seven percent of those affected actually file a criminal complaint, although almost 37 percent of them are talking about their experiences for the first time.

• 20 Prozent der Frauen erlebten sexualisierte Gewalt in der Kindheit.
• 12,7 Prozent der 18- bis 59-Jährigen wurden als Minderjährige Opfer.
• 95 Prozent der Täter sind Männer.
• Durchschnittliches Alter des ersten Missbrauchs: 11,2 Jahre.
• Über 32 Prozent berichteten von sexualisierter Gewalt über das Internet.

These results made research necessary, as can be seen in the comparison between the police crime statistics and the dark field studies. Police recorded a total of 16,354 cases of child sexual abuse in 2024 and a massive increase in depictions of abuse online, rising from 21,868 cases in 2020 to 52,455 cases. However, the number of unreported cases remains high because many crimes go unreported.

Advice and support

There are numerous advice centers in Austria for those affected. “147 – Rat auf Draht” offers an emergency number specifically for children and young people, while “Girls Advice” and “TAMAR” represent other contact points for girls and women. In order to carry out prevention work, it is necessary to communicate openly about these topics and offer support.

Awareness of the problem is growing, and further information and assistance will be provided at the upcoming consultation hours. Online resources are also available to raise awareness about sexual violence and to give those affected a voice.

For anyone who would like to find out more, we recommend the helpline for sexual abuse: you can call 0800 22 55 530 for support on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Further information on this and related topics can be found at ORF, ZDF and Federal Commissioner for Sexual Abuse.