By Natalia Rueda 
Germany is facing an alarming situation with the increase of domestic violence in the country. Recent data presented by the German government and the Federal Criminal Police Office reveal that in 2023, more than 256,000 cases of domestic violence were recorded, representing an increase of 6.5% compared to the previous year. This rise is worrying and has triggered calls for action by authorities and highlighted the need to implement effective and urgent measures.
The report highlights that 70% of the victims are women and 75% of the abusers are men. Furthermore, with almost two thirds of the cases involving intimate partner violence and 79.2% of the victims are women. These stark figures are far from mere statistics; they represent the stark reality of thousands of people suffering in silence and the depth of the problem that Germany must confront.
To add further urgency, the report highlights a grim statistic: in 2023, 155 women and 24 men were murdered by their partners or ex-partners. Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has described the situation as a “spiral of violence,” stressing that it demands immediate attention.
Faeser has put forward some options, such as mandatory anti-violence training for perpetrators. However, this measure alone is not enough. A comprehensive approach is needed, including not only the education and rehabilitation of aggressors, but also the implementation of stricter and more effective laws that protect victims and punish perpetrators forcefully.
With information from DW