"In any case, we dont talk enough about abuse in our society. Thats why we need a council for those affected in all federal states, not just at federal level ", Claus told the newspapers of the Funke media group. "Those affected bring the expertise with them, they know perpetrator strategies, know what help is needed and how procedures could be more child-friendly. They also know how competent basic medical care should be organized for those affected."

Claus: "Culture of abuse in Germany"

Claus is the Federal Governments independent commissioner for questions of child sexual abuse. It is continuously advised by a council of those affected, which currently consists of 12 members and works on a voluntary basis.

There is a large number of affected adults in Germany who have experienced sexual violence in their childhood and youth, said Claus. "There is a culture of abuse in Germany and it has been going on for decades. In the past it was even more invisible than it is today."

However, the exact extent is still unclear, Claus complained. Figures on child abuse in Germany presented by the police a few weeks ago sound "enormous, but in fact do not come close to reflecting the true extent of sexual violence". "We dont know how many children in Germany are exposed to sexual violence. Thats why we urgently need to do better research into the dark field." Claus warned that politicians must now agree that the number of unreported cases will be collected regularly. (dpa)