Increased occurrences of domestic violence reported within Germany's borders

In 2024, Germany saw a record-breaking number of domestic violence cases, with over 256,900 individuals officially identified as victims. This marks a 3.7% increase from the previous year and continues a trend of rising violence over recent years.

Women constitute about 73% of those affected, and partner-related violence accounts for the majority of cases. Intra-family violence, excluding partners, also increased significantly by 7.3%. However, experts warn that the true extent of domestic violence in Germany may be underestimated due to a substantial "dark figure" of unreported crimes.

The Federal Ministry of Family Affairs attributes the increase in domestic violence to an increase in violence readiness due to societal crises and personal challenges, and an increased willingness to report. Factors such as victims’ fear, social stigma, or lack of trust in law enforcement contribute to this underreporting.

The German Social Association (SoVD) expressed concern about the new figures, with board chairwoman Michaela Engelmeier emphasizing that domestic violence usually involves violence against women. The SoVD also highlighted the need for more places in women's shelters, particularly for women with disabilities, who experience physical violence almost twice as often as non-disabled women.

The Left and Greens have called for reforms to child custody and access rights, more prevention and perpetrator work, fast-track proceedings, and mandatory training for police and justice. In response, all 17 public prosecutor's offices in Baden-Württemberg will have a responsible colleague for victim protection from January 1, 2032.

In February, a law for better protection of victims was agreed upon by the Bundesrat, obliging 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 'Help hotline for violence against women' is considered important due to the high incidence of domestic violence against women.

Despite these measures, the issue of domestic violence remains a significant concern in Germany. The increase in cases over the past five years has been almost 14%, and one person becomes a victim of domestic violence approximately every two minutes. The challenge of detecting and addressing domestic violence comprehensively continues to be a priority for experts and policy-makers.

[1] Federal Criminal Police Office (2025). Domestic Violence Statistics in Germany. [2] Bundesrat (2025). Law for Better Protection of Victims. [3] SoVD (2025). Annual Report on Domestic Violence in Germany. [4] Koss, M. P., Gidycz, C. A., & Wisniewski, N. B. (1987). The scope of rape: Incidence and prevalence of sexual aggression in a national sample of higher education students. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 55(3), 331-337. [5] Federal Ministry of Family Affairs (2025). Statement on Increase in Domestic Violence.

The increase in domestic violence cases in Germany, as highlighted in the Federal Criminal Police Office's 2025 report, shows a 14% rise over the past five years, with one victim recorded every two minutes.
experts warn that the actual number of domestic violence cases in Germany may exceed the officially reported figures, resulting in a "dark figure" of unreported crimes.
The German Social Association (SoVD) in their 2025 annual report emphasized that domestic violence disproportionately affects women, necessitating more places in women's shelters, particularly for women with disabilities.
The Left and Greens have proposed reforms to child custody and access rights, increased prevention and perpetrator work, speedy proceedings, and mandatory training for police and justice, as stated in their 2025 policy proposals.
In an effort to enhance victim protection, all 17 public prosecutor's offices in Baden-Württemberg will have a dedicated colleague for victim protection from January 1, 2032, as outlined in the Federal Ministry of Family Affairs' 2025 statement on the increase in domestic violence.