Germany Reports Disturbing Increase in Violence Against Women

Germany Sees Alarming Rise in Violence Against Women

“Without the anti-violence law, people will continue to die. People's lives will continue to be destroyed because they will be...”

Germany's domestic violence crisis is putting women's lives at risk. Discover the shocking statistics and the efforts to combat the issue.

Lawyer Corinna Wehran-Itschert recalls a harrowing case involving a woman with multiple small children. Despite having restraining orders in place, the woman's husband relentlessly stalked her for over two years following their separation. Wehran-Itschert vividly remembers the tragic outcome, saying: “The man ambushed her in her entryway and killed her. That was awful.”

One of Wehran-Itschert's clients, Diana B. (name changed), shared her own terrifying experience with DW. She revealed that her husband has repeatedly threatened to kill her, and she is desperate to protect herself. Diana B. recounted the horrific abuse she suffered at the hands of her husband, saying: “He beat me for years, choking and in the end severely injuring me.” Despite the severity of the abuse, the courts treated her husband as a first-time offender and imposed only a suspended sentence, as there were no prior reports against him.

Germany is witnessing a disturbing surge in violence against women. According to the Federal Criminal Police Office's (BKA) inaugural situation report, “Gender-specific crimes against women in 2023,” a staggering 360 women lost their lives at the hands of men, often as a result of domestic violence or during the process of separation.

At the report's presentation in October, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) expressed her deep concern, stating: “We see a femicide in Germany almost every day [...] They become victims because they are women. That is intolerable.” Her words underscore the gravity of the situation, emphasizing the need for urgent action to address this critical issue. The BKA's report reveals that 155 women were killed by their partners or ex-partners in 2023 alone.

“Two femicides in Berlin per week every second day a woman in Germany is murdered by her partner or ex-partner. That concerns and angers me greatly,” said Family Minister Lisa Paus in September, after two women were allegedly killed by former partners in the German capital. She said “we not only need security measures against terrorists who attack people with knives, but also for the prevention and protection of women from violence.”

Germany is facing a disturbing rise in violence against women, with alarming figures presented by Interior Minister Nancy Faeser and Family Minister Lisa Paus in June. According to the government's own statistics, police registered 240,547 cases of domestic violence in 2022, an increase of 8.5 percent over 2021, with women comprising over 70 percent of victims.

In response to this crisis, organizations and over 30,000 individuals have urged the federal government to take action, reminding them of their 2021 coalition agreement pledge to create a law providing better protection for those affected by violence. Family Minister Lisa Paus has drafted an anti-domestic violence law, but it remains stuck in negotiations between various ministries. The signatories of the urgent letter warned, “Without the anti-violence law, people will continue to die. People's lives will continue to be destroyed because they will be denied the protection they urgently need!”

Germany is facing a critical shortage of spaces for women and children in refuge shelters. According to the Council of Europe's Istanbul Convention, the country lacks approximately 14,000 spaces to accommodate those fleeing domestic violence. This shortage is exacerbating the already dire situation for women and children seeking safety.

A recent study has highlighted the inadequate investment in prevention and protection services for victims of domestic violence. The study reveals that only €300 million ($325 million) is being allocated annually, far short of the recommended €1.6 billion. This underfunding is severely hindering the ability to provide essential services to those in need.

The funding for women's refuge facilities in Germany is determined at the state and local council levels. However, Alexandra Neisius, who manages the women's shelter in Koblenz, argues that this decentralized approach is problematic. Neisius's shelter has provided a safe haven for women like Diana B. and her children, but the lack of standardized funding and support threatens the long-term viability of such vital services.

The city of Koblenz, with a population of 115,000, requires 11-12 protected rooms for women seeking refuge. However, the current capacity stands at only seven rooms, resulting in many women being turned away due to lack of space. The demand is so high that when a space becomes available, it is typically filled within a couple of hours.

Alexandra Neisius, who manages the women's shelter in Koblenz, strives to provide assistance to every woman who seeks help. Fortunately, the shelter has secured funding to expand and renovate its facilities, which will include the construction of two new family rooms and an additional room for emergency cases.

Despite this progress, the shelter faces a significant challenge: a lack of funding for additional staff. This shortage is particularly pressing, as the shelter urgently needs personnel to provide legal and trauma-sensitive advice to the women and children seeking refuge.

The emergency facility serves as a safe haven where police and youth welfare officials can provide immediate accommodation to women in danger. Gabriele Slabenig, the Koblenz police official specializing in domestic violence cases, handles approximately 150-200 cases annually. She works closely with women who either contact the police directly or arrive at the shelter with their children and belongings, seeking refuge from violent situations. Slabenig also closely monitors high-risk situations to ensure the safety of those involved.

Availability of nearby or last-minute placements in women's shelters is extremely limited. In emergency situations, Koblenz police are sometimes forced to transport women up to 300 kilometers (approximately 190 miles) to secure a safe location. To further protect victims, crime experts meticulously examine their cell phones to detect and delete tracking and spying software.

The issue of safety often boils down to a matter of cost for women. Alexandra Neisius, director of the women's shelter, strongly criticizes the policy requiring women ineligible for social benefits to pay for their stay themselves. To mitigate this issue, Neisius collaborates with a supporters' association to provide financial assistance to victims using donated funds.

Nationwide statistics from shelters reveal a disturbing trend: women who must self-fund their stays are more likely to return to violent situations. This highlights the urgent need for comprehensive support systems and financial assistance to ensure the safety and well-being of survivors.

Germany is taking steps to combat domestic violence, with a draft of the family violence law aiming to provide stronger protections for victims. The draft, obtained by DW, includes an enforceable “right to protection and legal advice” free of charge for all victims. This provision would obligate Germany to ensure sufficient spaces are available at women's shelters.

Domestic violence is a pervasive issue affecting all segments of German society. However, women's shelters have observed a higher proportion of migrant women seeking refuge. According to Alexandra Neisius, manager of the women's shelter in Koblenz, migrant women often require additional support due to their unique circumstances. Neisius explained: “Often they have no family here to help them. They cannot speak the language very well and don't know what the laws are.”

Lawyer Corinna Wehran-Itschert emphasizes the profound impact of domestic violence on children who witness it. She stresses: “Children who witness violence toward their mothers, that is like violence against the children themselves.” This exposure can have long-lasting effects, potentially perpetuating a cycle of violence across generations. Wehran-Itschert warns: “Either the son begins to hit or behaves as macho as the husband or the daughter becomes a victim.”

To break this cycle, the women's shelter in Koblenz provides specialized support for children. The shelter teaches children about nonviolence, and a social worker regularly visits to work specifically with the boys. Alexandra Neisius, the shelter's director, has a clear message for women who feel compelled to stay with a violent partner for the sake of their children: “Please leave, for the sake of the children.”

Diana B. has made a firm decision: she never wants to see her husband again. After enduring years of abuse, she has come to realize that staying with him was a grave mistake. She has gained a deeper understanding of the impact her well-being has on her children, saying: “If I'm not doing well, then my children aren't doing well either.”

As a mother, Diana B. is determined to impart valuable lessons to her daughter. She has emphasized the importance of self-respect and safety, telling her daughter that if a man ever disrespects or hits her, she should leave him immediately. Alexandra Neisius, director of the women's shelter in Koblenz, echoes this sentiment. She stresses that hoping a violent man will change his behavior is not a viable solution, saying: “It doesn't stop by itself.”

This article was initially published in German on November 8 and has since been updated to include the latest figures. For more in-depth coverage of German politics and society, consider subscribing to DW's weekly email newsletter, Berlin Briefing. Every Tuesday, DW editors curate a selection of the most important news and stories. You can sign up for the newsletter here.