Crime: Domestic violence situation: More perpetrators have to move out

More and more men have to move out or keep their distance because they have inflicted or threatened their partner with violence. This is shown by the current situation report on domestic violence, which was presented in Berlin. Accordingly, the number of suspects recorded in connection with crimes for which the Violence Protection Act was applied has increased by eleven percent in the past five years to 6587 suspects in 2022.

Of the suspects, 91.7 percent were male. According to statistics from the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), 17 suspects were carrying a firearm.

The Violence Protection Act helps victims of domestic violence – above all by giving them the opportunity to use their own home without having to share it with the violent person. The family courts make such decisions at the request of the victims.

Other protective measures

In addition to the ban on entering the apartment, there are other protective measures. This includes, for example, a ban on contact. Anyone who violates a corresponding order risks a fine or up to two years in prison. Last year, the police counted 4,194 Germans and 2,393 foreigners as suspects to whom this law applied.

Perpetrators would have to leave the apartment after the first violent attack, emphasized Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD). “This must be consistently controlled so that perpetrators do not return quickly.” In order to effectively enforce orders under the Violence Protection Act, a change in the law may also be necessary.

A 40-year-old mother of three children was killed in Frankfurt am Main early last week. Her husband is in custody on suspicion of murder. The woman reported her husband on May 29 for assault and domestic violence, among other things. Shortly thereafter, a no approach order issued by the police was confirmed by a court order. A few hours before her death, the 40-year-old contacted the police and reported that her husband had visited her in a park near the house and held her. But she was able to get away from him and go home. Officers searched for the man but could not find him.

Use of the electronic ankle bracelet

“Measures must finally be taken that really protect women and prevent the worst acts of violence,” demanded the national director of the women’s rights organization Terre Des Femmes, Christa Stolle. “This includes enforcing a nationwide uniform expulsion of the perpetrator from the place of residence – also with electronic surveillance, as there is in Spain.” Hesse’s Justice Minister Roman Poseck (CDU) said: “The development of the number of cases shows the urgency of the Hessian initiative to enable the use of the electronic tag in escalation cases to monitor measures under the Violence Protection Act.”

The SPD, Greens and FDP had stated in their coalition agreement: “We will secure the right to protection from violence for every woman and her children and ensure a national legal framework for reliable financing of women’s shelters.” In some regions of Germany, however, it is sometimes difficult for women with children to find a place in a women’s shelter. “I am committed to closing the gaps in the network of women’s shelters and advice centers,” stressed Federal Family Minister Lisa Paus (Greens).

Despite the difficult budgetary situation, additional funds are therefore planned for this year and next. “It is incomprehensible why the federal government is so hesitant about the projects from the coalition agreement in the area of ​​violence prevention and protection and hardly spends any money on them,” criticized the chairwoman of the German Women’s Council, Beate von Miquel. Paus said her ministry is currently preparing a law that would give those affected a legal right to protection.

Overall, women and girls are more likely to be victims of domestic violence than boys and men. The statistics for 2022 show that the proportion of male victims of domestic violence is only slightly higher among small children – in the age group up to six years – with 3192 boys affected (2993 affected). The difference is particularly large in the teenage years. Last year, 4,087 male victims of domestic violence between the ages of 14 and 18 were recorded nationwide. During the same period, the police registered 5,972 girls in this age group who were victims of domestic violence.

Violence most often starts in the family

In 35.3 percent of the cases, and thus the most common, violence in the family was initiated by a parent. According to statistics, a child used violence against its parents in around 23 percent of cases. Other relatives were suspects in around 18 percent of the crimes. In almost 17 percent of the cases, the violence presumably came from siblings.

In its situation report, the BKA points out that a high number of unreported cases can be assumed, especially in the case of violence in the family or between partners. “There are many indications that the willingness to report has increased,” said Faeser.

Last year, 240,547 victims of domestic violence were counted in Germany – 8.5 percent more than in the previous year. The number of suspects rose to 197,348. On Tuesday, Faeser and Paus gave the go-ahead for a dark field study on partnership violence, for which around 22,000 people are to be interviewed. Last year, the “Violence against Women” helpline, which can be reached around the clock on 116.016, received an average of 65 calls a day from female victims of violence.