Anmerkung zu BVerfG, Beschluss vom 10.11.2023 – 1 BvR 2036/23

The Bundesverfassungsgericht recently ruled that court statements by victims about sexual abuse they have experienced are part of their intimate sphere, but not part of the core area of private life, which is absolutely inviolably protected from the outset. It is not yet entirely clear what this means for archival practice in particular. It is possible that this will open up more room for consideration than previously assumed. However, it remains the case that children and young people who have experienced sexual abuse in particular must be given especially strong protection and the relevant files with their witness statements may only be made accessible in exceptional cases.