Social affairs: Increased number of child welfare cases in Hesse

Hessen’s youth offices recorded a new high in child endangerment cases in 2025, with 7,650 instances identified, marking a 16 percent increase compared to the previous year. This figure was announced by the State Statistical Office in Wiesbaden, which also noted a decline in the number of children placed under care due to fewer unaccompanied minor arrivals from abroad. The number of such placements dropped by nearly a quarter to 4,760 during the same period. The trend of rising child endangerment reports has continued since the beginning of data collection in 2012. According to statistics released by the state office, employees in youth departments assessed over 21,550 cases in the past year, determining whether children or adolescents were at risk. In more than one-third of these assessments, authorities confirmed either acute or potential child endangerment. Experts stated this ongoing rise reflects a long-term pattern. Among the cases identified in 2025, psychological abuse or neglect accounted for almost half of all incidents. Physical abuse was reported in 13 percent of cases, while signs of sexual abuse were found in four percent. These figures highlight the diverse nature of threats facing children within the region. A third of the children placed under care in 2025 were due to parental or caregiver overload. This was the most common reason cited by the authority, surpassing the second most frequent cause, which was unaccompanied entry from overseas, accounting for 29 percent of cases. Approximately one in five instances involved indications of physical abuse or neglect leading to placement decisions. It should be noted that multiple reasons could apply to individual cases. An in-care placement is a temporary protective measure taken by the youth office to ensure the safety of a child or young person in situations of danger or emergency. This can involve removing the child from their home environment, including foster families, and placing them elsewhere for short-term protection. The measure aims to provide immediate security while longer-term solutions are being considered. The State Office clarified that the registration process focuses on the circumstances rather than individuals, meaning that children and youth might appear in multiple records based on different reasons. This approach ensures comprehensive tracking of each case's specific context without identifying personal details.