The Staufen Child Abuse Case

Case Overview

The Staufen-Missbrauchsfall refers to a major child sexual abuse case uncovered in September 2017 in the small town of Staufen im Breisgau in southwestern Germany. The case centered on a mother, Berrin T., and her then-partner Christian L., who over several years systematically abused the woman's son and rented him out to pedophile men they met through forums on the dark web.

The boy, who was between 7 and 9 years old during the abuse period, was subjected to repeated rape by multiple adult men in the family home and other locations. The case attracted enormous attention in Germany due to the perpetrators' systematic approach and the mother's active participation in the abuse.

Discovery and Arrest

The case was uncovered in September 2017 when Swiss federal police contacted German authorities after identifying Christian L. as a user of child pornography on the internet. German authorities immediately conducted a search of the couple's home in Staufen and arrested both the mother and stepfather.

During the investigation, the shocking extent of the abuse came to light. Police were able to document through digital evidence that the boy had been subjected to abuse by multiple men whom Christian L. had recruited through chat forums on the dark web. Some of the abuse was filmed, and the material was shared online.

The boy was immediately removed from the home and placed under the protection of authorities. He underwent extensive interviews with support from specially trained child psychologists.

The Perpetrators' Network