16.04.2024 New opinion paper takes a critical look at the empirical evidence on the much-discussed issue of ritual sexual violence

In recent months, there has been much discussion about the existence of ritual sexual violence in Germany. In the following article, we take a critical look at the interpretation of the results of a research project funded by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ), in which alternative interpretations of the results are insufficiently considered and which, in our opinion, does not allow us to conclude that ritual sexual violence (in the form in which it is defined in the project) exists in Germany.

The position paper is freely accessible and can be found here: https://doi.org/10.1026/0033-3042/a000663

The commentary of the Independent Commission for the Investigation of Child Sexual Abuse on our position paper can be found here: https://doi.org/10.1026/0033-3042/a000676

You can find our response to this commentary here: https://doi.org/10.1026/0033-3042/a000677