Kamenz (dpa/sn) - 2186 children and young people in Saxony were affected by protective measures in 2021 - 15.1 percent fewer than in the previous year. The so-called taking into care refers to the accommodation of those affected in emergency situations arranged by the youth welfare office. In addition, another 329 such measures for unaccompanied minor refugees were registered, the State Statistical Office in Kamenz announced on Monday. 14 percent of the protective measures were taken at the child's or young person's own request. In 74 percent of the cases, youth welfare offices, the police and regulatory authorities pulled the emergency brake.
The most common reasons for such protective measures are overwhelmed parents or parents, relationship problems and signs of neglect. For 15 percent of the children and young people, the protective measure ended within two days, for a further 38 percent within the next twelve days. 1027 children and young people were taken into protection for 15 days and longer. Especially during the pandemic, there were fears that increased lockdown stress could lead to an increase in people being taken into care.
As the State Statistical Office further reported, 8,629 procedures were carried out to assess the welfare of the child in the previous year, almost four percent more than in 2020. They would have resulted in a clear, acute threat to the welfare of the child 1,483 times. In 1938 cases such a risk could not be ruled out. In 1,885 cases the children were less than three years old.
"For the 3421 acute and latent threats to the welfare of children, there were signs of neglect in 2461 cases, there were also signs of physical (678) or psychological abuse (781), and 116 times sexual violence was given as a type of threat to the welfare of children. Multiple responses were possible ", the office said.
