How ‘paedo-hunters’ make prosecution more difficult

A 22-year-old man was brutally beaten up at the Golf Park in Holzhäusern - under the pretext that he was a paedophile. Actions of this kind jeopardise the rule of law - and can even cause unjustified acquittals.

A 22-year-old man was lured into an ambush under the pretext of meeting a minor, and was beaten up by several people so badly that he had to be hospitalised. Paedo-hunting (derived from paedophile hunting) is a form of vigilante justice in which thugs arbitrarily punish suspected perpetrators under the pretext of preventing potential sexual offences.

Last Tuesday, the Zug law enforcement authorities reported the case described above, which took place at the beginning of April at the Golf Course in Rotkreuz. Frank Kleiner, deputy head of communications for the Zug law enforcement authorities, provided more detailed information on the subject of ‘paedo-hunting’ in response to an enquiry from the Zuger Zeitung newspaper.

According to Frank Kleiner, the case in Rotkreuz is unusual in that it involved eleven accused young people from different cantons, who planned the offence in advance and ultimately carried it out. As the investigation has not yet been finalised, the Zug Police are not making any further explicit statements about this case.

The presumption of innocence also applies to suspected sex offenders
In general, having private individuals or groups track down suspected sex offenders on their own authority is ‘highly problematic’ for public safety and the rule of law. ‘Such actions can escalate quickly and jeopardise everyone involved, as well as uninvolved third parties,’ adds Frank Kleiner. There is also a risk that innocent people could be publicly accused, exposed or even injured.

And: ‘If private individuals intervene in criminal prosecution, the sovereignty over public safety is undermined, which in turn can trigger copycat offences.’ Such an approach ‘disregards the state's monopoly on the use of force’ and jeopardises a fair trial by the criminal prosecution authorities and the courts. Furthermore, the presumption of innocence applies until a final conviction is handed down - even for suspected sex offenders.

In addition, this form of vigilante justice makes the work of law enforcement authorities more difficult ‘in several respects’. For example, there is a risk of evidence being lost, witnesses and informants being influenced or evidence being tampered with. This could influence proceedings or even make them impossible. This in turn could lead to proceedings having to be discontinued or even to acquittals despite actual guilt.

Frank Kleiner, Deputy Head of Communications for the Zug law enforcement authorities.  Photo: Matthias Jurt 
Sociologist and criminologist Dirk Baier.    Photo: Andrea Zahler
 

A few cases of ‘paedo-hunting’ were recorded in the canton of Zug in 2024. However, these attacks were not as serious and have no connection to the current offence.

Right-wing political forces in particular are sowing mistrust
Sociologist and criminologist Dirk Baier would also not speak of a trend in paedo-hunting. It is true that several incidents of this kind have recently been reported in the media, and he is not currently aware of any cases that happened a longer time ago. Nevertheless, such violence is ‘the absolute exception’. It has so far been a very rare phenomenon, which is why there are no reliable scientific findings.

It is noticeable that it's mostly younger men who are involved, and who act in groups. According to Dirk Baier, ‘typical risk factors’ of violent behaviour generally play a role here. He adds: ‘Men are more willing to use violence, and this kind of impulsive behaviour is ‘displayed even more quickly’ in groups.

These young people would feel encouraged by a ‘generally harsher social climate’. Dirk Baier adds: ‘You hear voices everywhere saying that you have to take the law into your own hands, that the state, politics and courts are too weak to protect people. This mistrust, which is sown everywhere, but especially by right-wing political forces, is the background for such acts.’

Paedophiles are seen as second-class citizens
There are certainly at least two different groups: the leaders and the followers. The leaders determine what is done and how, usually because they have seen it done somewhere and expect recognition from the same implementation. ‘The followers are not really convinced to take part in such actions. But they also don't want to look like weaklings and can brush aside any doubts by claiming that it's a ‘good thing’ because the victims are supposedly paedophiles.’ And, according to Dirk Baier, paedophiles are generally regarded as second-class citizens in society.

Social media also play a double, problematic role: it enables content with this behaviour to be disseminated and encourages people in other cities or countries to emulate their ‘role models’. The impression could be created that this form of vigilante justice is legitimate. Social media would also help with the networking of like-minded people.

‘And of course, this also massively violates the personal rights of those affected,’ Dirk Baier continued. This should not be tolerated for people who have been guilty of paedophile violence, as it could harm their rehabilitation, nor for people who may have mistakenly become the focus of ‘paedo-hunters’.

Paedophiles hide out of fear
The Children and Adult Protection Authority in Zug (KESB Zug: Kindes- und Erwachsenenschutzbehörde) also strongly condemns the ‘targeted tracking down of suspected paedophiles by private individuals’. This form of vigilante justice undermines the trust of those affected in professional help, for example from the police and victim counselling services, and thereby has a counterproductive effect on child protection. Potential offenders with paedosexual tendencies will hide themselves away due to fear, instead of seeking therapeutic help. This in turn increases the risk of actual offences.

The KESB also writes that perpetrators often traumatise themselves ‘particularly in the case of group and gang offences’. This is particularly significant in the case of minors, as they are inexperienced, impressionable and have not yet stabilised their identity.

Comprehensive information should counteract this
What measures are in place to keep the phenomenon of ‘paedo-hunting’ under control? Frank Kleiner says: ‘In this regard, we are focusing on educating the public in collaboration with various specialist agencies and institutions, such as schools.’ For example, the difference between civil courageous behaviour and unlawful lone action, as well as the legal consequences will be explained.

In addition to these educational measures, which Dirk Baier also supports, there needs to be a general awareness of such phenomena: ‘Young people in such groups communicate with each other. It becomes clear what they are up to.’ He is confident: ‘If society now makes it unmistakably clear that this kind of behaviour is inappropriate and will be punished, then “paedo-hunting” will soon become quiet again.’