Binding of Feet in Bremen: A Measure Employed for Women's Physical Security Against Aggression
In a bid to protect women from violence and femicides, Germany is in the process of adopting electronic ankle bracelets, similar to Spain’s system, but the law has not yet been fully implemented.
The electronic ankle bracelet, when introduced, will help reduce the number of femicides and domestic violence cases by monitoring violent offenders. In Spain, this system has been operational since 2009, with GPS technology tracking both the offender (with the ankle bracelet) and the victim (carrying a receiving unit). This approach focuses on maintaining a safe distance rather than fixed exclusion zones, alerting both the victim and the police if the offender comes too close.
Germany's proposed system will operate in a similar manner, with the draft law authorizing family courts to order electronic monitoring in high-risk cases. The system will include victim warnings and police notifications, aiming to prevent murders or serious bodily harm by deterring offenders aware of monitoring and enabling timely victim alerts.
The effectiveness of Spain’s model lies in real-time alerts to victims when offenders approach, allowing victims to seek safety and police to intervene promptly. This proactive tool has been proven to reduce victim harm by early warnings and offender deterrence.
The Bremen State Action Plan against Violence against Women and the recently adopted Federal Violence Assistance Act are important milestones in the fight against gender-based violence in Germany. Other announced measures, such as the imposition of perpetrator work and the adaptation of parental custody and visitation rights, are expected to follow quickly.
However, the issue of domestic violence remains high in Bremen after a sharp increase in 2023. In the city between 2019 and 2023, nine women were killed by their male partners or ex-partners, and eight women were victims of attempted murder.
The Interior Senator Maürer and Bremen's Senator for Women, Claudia Bernhard (Left), are convinced of the project. Ladewig-Makosch, a prominent figure, emphasises that violence against women has reached a level that cannot be tolerated. He explains that the ankle bracelet does not combat the causes of violence, but is a tool to prevent further attacks in already violent situations.
The plans need to be expanded and implemented further to effectively combat gender-based violence in Germany. The 2024 federal crime report by the Federal Criminal Police Office shows an increase in domestic violence, highlighting the urgent need for action.
In conclusion, Spain’s electronic ankle bracelet system for violent offenders against women serves as a practical and tested template for Germany. The country is actively working to implement a comparable approach with legislative backing expected soon.
The electronic ankle bracelet system, borrowed from Spain's model, is being proposed in Germany to combat domestic violence and femicides, focusing on real-time alerts to victims and police interventions. This health-and-wellness technology, especially for women's health, targets high-risk cases and aims to prevent murders or serious bodily harm through offender deterrence and timely victim alerts.
The success of Spain's model lies in its ability to reduce victim harm by early warnings and offender deterrence, making it a practical and effective solution in the fight against gender-based violence, which remains a significant issue in Germany, particularly in cities like Bremen.
