Berlin (dpa) – In the fight against sexualized violence against women, Women's Minister Lisa Paus wants to close legal gaps on the Internet. The Green Party politician said that the possession of violent videos showing adult victims is currently unpunished Deutschlandfunk. “This is actually a regulatory gap in the area of digital violence against women that we should take a look at.”
In networks such as Telegram chat groups, terrible images of violence against partially drugged and defenseless women are shown, Paus continued. “These are unbelievable patriarchal and possessive fantasies; That’s a contempt for women that comes with it.” There are good reasons why children's possession of such violent videos is already handled differently.
Pelicot lawsuits make headlines
Recently, multiple networks in which men plan, implement and document violence against women are causing outrage. The issue of sexual violence against women has also received worldwide attention in recent months with the rape trial in Avignon, France.
In the trial, Dominique Pelicot confessed to repeatedly drugging and abusing his then-wife Gisèle for almost ten years. He had dozens of strangers rape her. The court sentenced him to 20 years in prison on Thursday. The court also imposed prison sentences of several years for the remaining 50 defendants. At that time, contact was made via an online platform.
New regulation on knockout drops failed for the time being
In connection with sexual violence, perpetrators' access to so-called knockout drops is also a major problem, Paus continued. “That’s why I spoke to the Minister of Health about regulating the knockout drops differently.”
The development of a draft law in collaboration with Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) is already well advanced. “But unfortunately now that the traffic lights have ended, he hasn’t been able to finish.”
Lauterbach's draft provides for stricter principles for nitrous oxide and so-called knock-out drops. The government coalition made up of the SPD, Greens and FDP collapsed in November.
