Council of Europe

05.07.12. Mr Johannes Wilhelm Rörig, Independent Representative on Questions of Sexual Abuse of Children in Germany, participated to the 7th meeting of the PACE Network of Contact Parliamentarians to stop sexual violence against children, that took place during the second part-session 2012 of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, on the question of the obligation to report suspected sexual violence against children.

In this video interview, Mr Rörig explains the reasons why Germany decided not to institute a legal obligation to report suspicions of sexual violence against children. He points out that “Germany has come to the conclusion that there should not be a legal obligation of reporting. Nevertheless, cases should generally be reported”. He then gives his opinion on what role could the parliamentarians play in fighting sexual violence against children explaining that “Parliamentarians must exercise their right of control with regard to the government, or the governments”.

View the interview

More information on the 7th meeting of the Network of Contact Parliamentarians

Minutes of the 7th Meeting