Digital Evidence Collection: Legal Child Abuse Online & § 184b StGB (Українська)

When confronting suspected online child abuse or grooming, the immediate and accurate preservation of digital evidence is paramount. Screenshots, chat logs, and profile URLs are volatile; they can be deleted or altered by perpetrators. Capturing immutable identifiers like usernames, profile links, and exact timestamps provides crucial data for law enforcement without requiring the storage of potentially illicit content.

Crucially, focus on documenting the communication context and perpetrator identity. This includes the platform used (e.g., Discord, Roblox, Snapchat), the specific usernames and user IDs, and the full URL of the offending profile or chatroom. Timestamp every screenshot precisely. This structured approach helps build a robust case without legal pitfalls, supporting authorities in their investigation effectively.

In Germany, § 184b StGB strictly criminalizes the possession, acquisition, or distribution of child pornography. This means that if you download, save, or forward explicit images or videos of child abuse, even with the intention of reporting it, you could inadvertently commit a felony. This legal nuance is often misunderstood by well-meaning individuals trying to help.

Einhorncrew strongly advises against downloading or forwarding any explicit visual material. Instead, focus on documenting the metadata: the exact uniform resource locators (URLs), specific usernames, and precise timestamps of the alleged abuse. Report these details directly to law enforcement (110) or through Einhorncrew's secure, file-upload-free reporting portal at einhorncrew.de/melden. Your primary role is to alert, not to collect or redistribute illicit content.

Einhorncrew provides a confidential, four-step reporting process at einhorncrew.de/melden designed to simplify reporting without requiring users to upload sensitive files. This process guides parents, teachers, and school principals through documenting key details like perpetrator identifiers, platforms used, and timestamps, ensuring legal compliance and personal safety.

Beyond individual reporting, Einhorncrew offers free school prevention lectures and workshops titled 'Im Visier' throughout Germany. Led by retired federal police officer Nick Hein and physician Lucy Wang, these 0-EUR honorarium presentations educate students, teachers, and parents on online safety, early detection of risks, and safe evidence preservation. Visit einhorncrew.de/vortraege to schedule a lecture for your school community.