Berlin (dpa) – The Federal Association of Women's Advice Centres and Women's Emergency Hotlines (bff) believes that there is still a lot to be done in Germany to protect women from the worst cases of domestic violence, even fatal ones. Affected women are often given the terse advice “just break up”, but this could be dangerous if the danger is ignored, explained the managing director of the umbrella organisation bff, Katja Grieger.
It is important that women receive professional help, for example in a counseling center. Overall, far too little money is invested in the protection of women in Germany, Grieger stressed when asked by the German Press Agency.
Two fatalities within a few days in Berlin
According to figures from the Federal Criminal Police Office, 155 women were killed by their partners or ex-partners in Germany in 2023 – 22 more than in the previous year. By comparison, in the same period, 24 men were fatally injured as a result of domestic violence.
In Berlin alone, there have recently been two such cases in which women have been killed. On Friday evening, a 28-year-old woman was stabbed to death by her former partner. Just a few days earlier, a 36-year-old woman was allegedly murdered by her ex-husband.
In general, femicides – usually the killing of women by partners or ex-partners – are often committed in separation situations or after separations, explained Grieger from the federal association bff. “If a partnership was already violent, controlled and humiliating, then the greatest risk of a killing is when the woman concerned claims an intention to separate, separates or has separated.”
How the immediate environment should react
When women experienced violence or were threatened by it, they often first turned to people in their immediate social circle, such as friends or family members. “It is very important that the people they trust react with solidarity and support,” stressed Grieger. However, it is not uncommon for those affected to report hearing something like “it always takes two” or “I can't imagine that, he's such a nice guy.”
Grieger explained: “Those affected receive support in counseling centers. Competent specialists work there who are familiar with the topic and can also assess the risk together with the woman.” If the risk is great, women can go to a women's shelter, provided they can find a place. “In cases of acute escalation and danger, the police should be called in; they are responsible for averting acute danger.”
Risk management in Germany is not comprehensive
Grieger pointed out that the so-called Istanbul Convention – a Council of Europe agreement to combat violence against women and domestic violence – has been applicable law in Germany since 2018. Unfortunately, the risk management provided for in it is not yet available across the board in Germany.
The convention requires that a systematic risk and hazard assessment be carried out, in which all relevant actors – such as the police, youth welfare offices or counseling centers – jointly assess the danger situation and the risk for the woman and her children and then take appropriate measures. “But that costs money because it is personnel-intensive,” explained Grieger.
Violence Assistance Act to be introduced
She also criticized the fact that the so-called Violence Assistance Act is still not in the legislative process. “Only such a coupled law with an increase in financial resources can really change something about the daily violence that ends in the death of a woman every other day.”
In response to the two violent acts in Berlin, Federal Minister for Women Lisa Paus (Greens) stressed that she was prepared to introduce the Act on Assistance to Violence – it should give all victims of violence the right to help. “That saves lives. It will also cost money so that we can support the federal states in providing more prevention and shelter for women. “We have far too few of these,” said Paus.
