Germany aims to protect women from domestic violence as cases soar

Germany's justice minister is planning further measures to better protect women from violence, after Cabinet approved a bill earlier this week allowing courts to require perpetrators of domestic abuse to wear electronic ankle monitors.

The Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) on Friday presented its annual report on gender-based crimes against women, including a 3.5% rise in reported cases of domestic violence.

"The figures from the Federal Criminal Police Office reveal a very bitter truth about our country: cases of domestic violence are rising," Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig told dpa. "Over a five-year period, we are seeing a steep rise of around 18%."

Hubig added that the vast majority of those affected by domestic violence are women.

BKA figures showed that more than 187,000 women were recorded as victims of domestic violence in 2024. In total, 266,000 people were affected, the highest number ever reported, although experts warned that the true extent of domestic violence is likely higher.

"We have to do more to protect women - domestic violence is not fate," Hubig stressed. She said the introduction of electronic ankle monitors for violent offenders would be only one of several measures.

The minister said further tightening of Germany's criminal law is planned, including tougher penalties for rape involving so-called knockout drops.

Victim protection must also be strengthened, she added, arguing that women must be safe at home and able to move just as freely in public spaces as men.

Fewer women killed, but more cases of sexual violence

The annual BKA report was presented in Berlin on Friday by Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, Family Minister Karin Prien and BKA President Holger Münch.

The figures showed that 308 women and girls were violently killed in Germany in 2024, down from 340 in the previous year.

Of the 308, 191 were killed by current or former partners, or other family members.

In the build-up to the presentation of the BKA report, a study released by the University of Tübingen on Thursday found that intimate partner violence is by far the most common form of femicide, defined as the killing of women and girls due to their gender.

The term - which is not used by the BKA - covers murder by former and current partners, honour killings, targeted killings during armed conflicts, female infanticide and various other forms of gender-based violence.

The BKA report also found that more than 53,000 women and girls were victims of sexual crimes, a rise of 2.1%, with almost half of victims under the age of 18.

Over 18,000 women suffered from digital forms of violence such as coercion, threats or stalking, up 6% from 2023.

In addition, nearly 600 women were victims of human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation.