New Child Protection Officer Listens to Victims - North Rhine-Westphalia Names First Child Protection Commissioner Amid Rising Abuse Cases
North Rhine-Westphalia has become the first German state to appoint an independent Commissioner for Child Protection and Children's Rights. Petra Ladenburger will take up the role on February 18, 2026, following a sharp rise in reported abuse cases involving children—a 76% increase from the previous year. Her appointment comes as part of a cross-party effort to strengthen child welfare and child tax credit across the region.
The decision to create this position follows alarming statistics. In 2025, NRW recorded over 4,700 cases of sexual, physical, and psychological abuse in daycare facilities—a significant increase in child abuse cases. Ladenburger's first task will be to determine whether this surge reflects a real rise in violence or better reporting mechanisms for children.
Ladenburger brings decades of experience to the role. As a family law attorney for 35 years, she has represented victims of sexual violence and children in custody disputes. She has also served as a hearing officer for Germany's Independent Commission on Child Sexual Abuse, interviewing over 300 survivors.
Her office will start with six staff members, focusing on networking key actors, creating participation formats, and addressing concerns under the new state child protection law. Unlike other states, NRW is the first to establish such an independent commissioner for children. Ladenburger plans to engage directly with children and young people, ensuring their voices are heard. She will also listen to adults who experienced violence in childhood, aiming to address systemic gaps in child protection.
The commissioner's priorities include supporting vulnerable groups—children with disabilities, those in poverty, refugees, and those facing discrimination. Meanwhile, Verena Schäffer, the new Minister for Children and Family, has dismissed calls for social media bans for children. Instead, she advocates for stronger media literacy and improved regulation to protect young users.
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