Cases of violence against women in Germany have reached alarming levels. According to the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) report, there was a significant increase in partner violence and femicides in 2023. Women’s rights advocates and government officials are calling for urgent action to address this crisis.
Femicides: Alarming Statistics
The latest BKA report shows that women in Germany are particularly targeted by male partners or ex-partners. According to the report:
360 women were murdered in 2023. A significant portion of these murders were committed by the woman’s partner. Of these, 155 were caused by current or former partners. The data reveals that nearly every day in Germany, a woman is killed.
Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser described the situation as “unacceptable,” stating: “Women are subjected to violence and lose their lives simply because they are women. This should never happen in a country like Germany.”
The State of Women’s Shelters: Insufficient Services
The capacity of women’s shelters and support services in Germany is insufficient to meet current demand. According to the Council of Europe’s Istanbul Convention, Germany needs 14,000 additional shelter spaces for women and children. However, currently:
- Only 300 million euros are invested annually in women’s shelter services.
- Experts argue that this amount needs to be increased to 1.6 billion euros to provide effective protection.
Women’s rights organizations emphasize that the lack of adequate shelter spaces is a major obstacle to protecting victims.
Femicide – Attempted or Completed Homicides with Female Victims in 2023
938 girls and women were victims of attempted or completed homicides.
360 girls and women were killed.
In 2023, there was almost a femicide every day in Germany.
(Source: BKA Situation Report “Situation Report ‘Gender-Specific Crimes Against Women’ 2023)
Number of Male Suspects in the Area of Sexual Offenses
98.9% in cases of rape, sexual coercion, and sexual assault
98.7% in cases of sexual harassment
95.5% in cases of sexual abuse of children, adolescents, and dependent persons aged 14 and older
(Source: BKA Situation Report “Situation Report ‘Gender-Specific Crimes Against Women'”)
Partner Violence: An Unseen Crisis
Violence against women is not limited to femicides. Women are also subjected to various forms of violence, including physical, psychological, and economic abuse. Data on partner violence in Germany highlights the scale of the issue:
In 2022, 80% of reported violence cases involved female victims. It is noted that violence tends to intensify during separation or divorce processes.
This shows that women are at even greater risk when they attempt to leave their partners.
Demands from Women’s Rights Advocates
Women’s rights advocates are urgently calling on the government to take action against violence. Their demands include:
- More Resources: Increasing the capacity of women’s shelters and expanding support services.
- Education Programs: Organizing awareness campaigns aimed at both women and society.
- Legal Reforms: Implementing harsher penalties for partner violence.
Women’s civil society organizations also call for expanded rehabilitation programs for men. These programs aim to change the behavior of violent men.
Implementation of the Istanbul Convention in Germany
Germany is among the countries that ratified the Istanbul Convention to protect women’s rights. However, criticisms are frequently voiced regarding its full implementation. Concerns include insufficient shelter services, lack of legal support for victims, and challenges in enforcing protection orders. 
These shortcomings in implementing the Convention make victims even more vulnerable.
1. Successes
Germany has made significant progress in implementing some provisions of the Istanbul Convention:
Women’s Shelters: Women’s shelters are maintained in line with the Convention, though capacity remains a major issue.
Awareness Initiatives: Awareness campaigns and training sessions on preventing violence against women have been organized.
Legal Reforms: Protection orders and legal assistance for victims of violence have been strengthened, especially for domestic violence survivors.
2. Shortcomings
Criticisms regarding Germany’s failure to fully implement the Istanbul Convention focus on several key areas:
a) Insufficient Capacity of Women’s Shelters
According to Council of Europe standards, Germany needs to provide approximately 14,000 additional shelter spaces for women and children. However, current capacity falls significantly short. Many women fleeing violence struggle to find shelter due to inadequate funding for women’s shelters.
b) Lack of Financial Resources
Experts emphasize the need for an annual investment of 1.6 billion euros to develop protection mechanisms for women. However, only 300 million euros are currently allocated to this area, hindering effective implementation of the Istanbul Convention.
c) Variability in Implementation Across States
Germany’s federal structure results in unequal outcomes in implementing the Istanbul Convention across states. Some states allocate insufficient resources for combating violence, while others take more progressive steps. This leads to disparities in victim support based on location.
d) Challenges for Migrant Women
There are significant gaps in ensuring migrant women can access the rights provided by the Istanbul Convention. Women with residency permit issues often face obstacles in reaching support mechanisms.
e) Insufficient Education and Awareness
Police and other law enforcement officials are not sufficiently trained to respond to violence cases, making it harder for women to receive the help they need.
3. Criticisms from Civil Society and Experts
Women’s rights organizations and civil society in Germany frequently highlight gaps in implementing the Istanbul Convention:
Delays in Legal Reforms: Legal reforms for women’s shelters and support systems are slowed due to financial disputes between federal and state governments.
Insufficient Social Transformation: Civil society groups argue for a broader cultural shift toward gender equality.
4. International Comparison
Germany’s implementation of the Istanbul Convention is considered average compared to other European countries. However:
Scandinavian countries (Norway, Sweden, Finland) stand out as examples of comprehensive implementation.
Germany continues to lag in providing shelter spaces and raising public awareness.
5. Proposed Solutions
Experts suggest the following measures to improve the Istanbul Convention’s implementation:
- Expansion of Shelters: Increasing safe housing options for women.
- Increased Investment: Boosting public funds allocated to combating violence.
- Support for Migrant Women: Creating policies to address language barriers and legal obstacles.
- Training Programs: Providing enhanced training for police, healthcare workers, and judiciary members.
- Intervention for Perpetrators: Expanding rehabilitation and therapy programs for violent men.
Recommendations for Preventing Violence
Experts emphasize the need for a comprehensive strategy to prevent violence against women. Suggested solutions include:
- Early Intervention Mechanisms: Developing faster, more reliable systems to protect women at risk of violence.
- Training on Violence Indicators: Training police officers and social workers to better recognize signs of violence.
- Financial Independence: Implementing policies to support women’s financial independence, helping them escape cycles of violence.
The German Government’s Plans
Family Minister Lisa Paus emphasized the need for more measures to prevent violence and protect victims. However, financial disputes between federal and state governments have delayed necessary reforms.
The government’s plans include:
- Expanding shelter capacities,
- Providing legal support to victims,
- Implementing anti-violence education programs.
However, the implementation of these plans requires greater funding at both federal and local levels.
International Perspective: Why is Violence Against Women Increasing in Germany?
The rise in violence against women in Germany reflects a global trend. Experts attribute this to:
- Post-Pandemic Stress: Domestic violence surged globally during the COVID-19 pandemic, and its effects persist in Germany.
- Economic Challenges: Unemployment and financial instability contribute to domestic conflicts.
- Gender Inequality: Women’s lack of equal rights in social and economic life remains a key driver of violence.
The combination of these factors makes it more complicated to prevent violence against women. In Germany, violence against women is not just a security issue but also a reflection of gender inequality. Government officials, NGOs, and individuals must work together to address this crisis.
Women’s rights advocates emphasize that this issue can only be resolved not only with more resources but also through profound social change. Therefore, raising public awareness, providing support to victims, and working on prevention efforts are of utmost importance.
