Domestic Violence Cases on the Rise in Germany, According to Report
In the year 2024, Germany recorded a significant increase in domestic violence cases, with a total of 256,942 people affected, according to the Federal Criminal Police Office. This marked a 3.7% rise compared to the previous year, with women predominantly affected.
Economic dependency, social and cultural dynamics, and improved reporting and categorization of cases are key factors contributing to this rise. Economic barriers prevent many victims from leaving abusive relationships, while psychological and physical harms contribute to the persistence and increase in such cases.
The inclusion of broader categories such as threats, stalking, deprivation of liberty, and forced prostitution in reporting since 2017 has also contributed to higher recorded numbers, reflecting a more comprehensive documentation of domestic violence.
Societal impacts such as intergenerational transmission of violence and strained support systems exacerbate the issue. The near tripling of femicide cases in 2023 underscores the urgency for systemic interventions.
To combat this issue, the Federal Ministry of Justice Stefanie Hubig plans to introduce an electronic ankle bracelet for perpetrators, based on the Spanish model. The electronic device will trigger an alarm if the perpetrator intentionally or unintentionally gets too close to the victim, who will wear a GPS unit.
The law obliges states to create sufficient protection and counseling offers, with a total of 2.6 billion euros in funding from the federal government between 2027 and 2036. The Bundesrat has approved a law for better protection of victims, effective from January 1, 2032.
Political parties such as the Left and the Greens have also called for reforms in custody and access rights, and for prevention, perpetrator work, fast procedures, and mandatory training for police and justice. The Greens have labelled violence against women as "patriarchal violence".
The rise in domestic violence cases reflects both real increases in incidence and improved detection/reporting, alongside persistent economic and social vulnerabilities in victims. It is crucial to address these issues to ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals in Germany.
[1] Federal Ministry of Family Affairs and Senior Citizens (2024). Report on Domestic Violence in Germany. [2] German Federal Statistical Office (2024). Statistics on Domestic Violence in Germany. [3] Help hotline for violence against women (2024). Annual Report. [4] SoVD (2024). Report on Violence against Women with Disabilities. [5] Hubig, S. (2024). Speech on the Rise in Domestic Violence Cases in Germany.
- The rise in domestic violence cases in Germany, as revealed by the Federal Criminal Police Office in 2024, is not only due to the improved detection and reporting, but also stemmed from the persistent economic and social vulnerabilities, particularly within women's health.
- Interestingly, the health-and-wellness sector, especially women's health, and general-news outlets have been discussing the connection between the economic barriers, societal impacts, and criminal aspects of domestic violence, as highlighted in the reports from the Federal Minister of Family Affairs, the Federal Statistical Office, and help hotlines.
- Amidst the pressing concerns on crime-and-justice, the German political landscape has also responded, with parties like the Left, Greens advocating for reforms in custody and access rights, prevention, perpetrator work, fast procedures, and mandatory training for police and justice, aligning these reforms with their stance on patriarchal violence. Science, too, has a crucial role in understanding and addressing these complex issues, ensuring the safety and well-being of all individuals.
