Youth center in Berlin-Neukölln closed due to rape allegations

After allegations of rape at a youth center in Berlin-Neukölln, the facility was closed for the time being. An independent commission investigated the case "in order to clarify the incidents of sexual violence in the youth club, examine how they were dealt with and develop recommendations for the future." Results are to be presented on Friday. What has happened so far:

Since when has the youth club been closed?

The youth center has been closed indefinitely since March 13th. According to the district office, the youth welfare office is considering under what circumstances a reopening might be possible. There is no exact date or concrete plans yet, as an authority spokesman said. According to the responsible youth city councilor Sarah Nagel (Left), there must be fundamental changes and a new educational concept before reopening.

What is the reason for the closure?

A 16-year-old is said to have been raped and later harassed by young people in the youth club at the end of 2025. The police only found out about this when the father reported it in February 2026. Neither the youth center nor later the district youth welfare office filed a report. The State Criminal Police Office (LKA) and the Berlin public prosecutor's office are now investigating.

Why were the authorities involved so late?

There are different representations of this. There are suspicions that the incident went unreported to avoid stigmatizing the Muslim alleged perpetrators.

City Councilor Nagel rejected this at the time: “The background of the perpetrators never played a role in how the incidents were handled, as is claimed in various media reports.” According to her description, the victim was “cared for by mutual consent by a qualified girls’ work agency who had the trust of the victim.”

The youth welfare office initially decided to only file a criminal complaint if the victim's consent was given, said Nagel. This corresponds to a usual approach when dealing with child endangerment among young people, provided there is no acute danger.

What does the education administration say?

Education and Youth Senator Katharina Günther-Wünsch (CDU) criticized the fact that neither the institution nor later the responsible youth welfare office in the Neukölln district initially filed a complaint. According to the senator, her house checks whether everyone responsible has complied with the requirements and implementing regulations for child protection.

What did the Neukölln district do?

Youth City Councilor Nagel has set up an independent commission. According to the district, they have been investigating the case since the end of April. The aim was to clarify the facts and analyze errors, it was said at the time. The district office is also hoping for recommendations for the future. The commission now plans to present its final report to the public.

What about the alleged perpetrators?

The public prosecutor's office says that investigations against several young people are ongoing. According to a spokesman for the public prosecutor's office, it is unclear when results can be expected. In addition to the allegations against several young people, there are also investigations into suspected obstruction of justice. However, investigations against Youth City Councilor Nagel were discontinued in June due to a lack of suspicion.