WARNING: Graphic content
German police are investigating a 16-year-old and 19-year-old for allegedly using a robot to sexually assault a teenage girl, and live-streaming the act on social media, officials said Monday.
The victim, aged 16, was with two friends in the western city of Cologne late Saturday when the 1.2 metre (four-foot) robot approached her, police said.
The device, coloured red and gold, is then alleged to have touched the girl on the buttocks and performed thrusting motions, they said.
The 16-year-old male, allegedly the owner, and the 19-year-old man are “said to have filmed the alleged assault, streamed it live on social media, and commented on it,” said a Cologne police statement.
A video circulating on platform TikTok shows a red and gold humanoid robot, accompanied by two males, pressing up against a teenage girl, who screams and moves away.
Police were alerted and found the robot in a car boot, where the owner is suspected of having hidden it.
Authorities seized the robot and two phones belonging to the suspects, who are now under investigation.
If you or someone you know is struggling with sexual assault or trauma, the following resources are available to support people in crisis:
- Call 911 if you are in immediate danger or fear for your safety.
- The Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centres’ website has a comprehensive list of sexual assault centres in Canada that offer information, advocacy and counselling.
- The Ending Violence Association of Canada‘s website has links to helplines, support services and locations across Canada that offer sexual assault kits.
- Indian Residential School Survivors Society crisis lines: +1 866 925 4419 or +1 800 721 0066 (24/7)
- Toronto Rape Crisis Centre crisis line: +1 416 597 8808 (24/7)
- Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline: +1 833 900 1010 (24/7)
- Trans Lifeline: +1 877 330 6366
- Suicide Crisis Helpline: call or text 988 (24/7)
- Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre for current and former Canadian Armed Forces members: +1 844 750 1648
- Read about your rights as a victim on the Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime website.
