Rise in Domestic Violence Cases within Germany's Borders
In 2024, Germany witnessed a concerning increase in domestic violence cases, with over 265,000 reported victims—a 3.7% rise from the previous year. According to the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), this trend reflects a broader, multi-year increase of about 14% over the past five years.
The majority of victims are women, with 70.5 percent of cases involving female victims in 2023. Violence by current or former partners constitutes the bulk of cases, indicating ongoing gendered patterns of abuse.
The German Ministry of Family Affairs links the rise to increasing social crises and personal difficulties faced by individuals, which may fuel violent behaviour or vulnerability to violence. Alongside social and personal factors, heightened awareness and improved reporting mechanisms may have led more victims to come forward now than before, contributing to the higher numbers documented.
The situation is compounded by insufficient support infrastructures, including shelters that do not have adequate capacity to meet demand, limiting help for victims on the ground. Experts warn many cases remain unreported, suggesting the true scale of domestic violence could be significantly higher than official figures indicate.
In response to this alarming rise, legislative efforts are underway. In February, a law for better protection of victims was approved, obliging states to create sufficient protection and counseling services, with a total of 2.6 billion euros from the federal government between 2027 and 2036. The legal entitlement to free protection and counseling is set to come into effect on January 1, 2032.
The focus is particularly on violence committed by partners or former partners, which accounted for most cases in 2024 with around 171,100 instances. The Left calls for reforms in child custody and visitation rights, while the Greens emphasize the need for more prevention and perpetrator work, swift proceedings, and mandatory training for police and justice officials.
Michaela Engelmeier, the chairwoman of the SoVD, emphasized that domestic violence usually means violence against women, making facilities like the 'Counseling Telephone for Violence against Women' all the more important. The Greens also highlight the need for more focus on violence within extended family settings.
Looking ahead, Federal Minister of Justice Stefanie Hubig is planning an electronic ankle monitor for perpetrators, based on the Spanish model, to better protect women from violent partners. The draft bill for the electronic ankle monitor is expected to be presented after the summer.
As the fight against domestic violence continues, it is crucial to address the root causes, improve reporting mechanisms, and ensure adequate support systems for victims. The goal is to create a safer and more equitable society for all.
[1] Bundesministerium für Familie, Senioren, Frauen und Jugend [2] Deutsche Welle [3] Süddeutsche Zeitung [4] Bundeskriminalamt
- Concerns about the 14% increase in domestic violence cases over the past five years in Germany, with over 265,000 victims in 2024, have led to intense discussions about women's health in the context of general news, health-and-wellness, and crime-and-justice.
- The German Ministry of Family Affairs, Women, Seniors, and Youth (Bundesministerium für Familie, Senioren, Frauen und Jugend) has linked the rise in domestic violence to increasing social crises, suggesting that personal difficulties faced by individuals may fuel violence or vulnerability to violence.
- Experts in the field of crime-and-justice warn that many cases of domestic violence remain unreported, suggesting the true scale of the problem could be significantly higher than official figures indicate. As efforts to combat domestic violence continue, the focus remains on providing adequate support systems for victims and addressing the root causes of the issue to create a safer and more equitable society for all.
