Every third day, a tragic reality unfolds in Germany - a man takes the life of his wife. In the grim tally of the past decade, between 110 and 155 women have lost their lives to this brutal act every year. As we commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women this November 25th, the Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband Baden-Württemberg and Frauen und Kinderschutz e.V. Singen call for improved victim protection and the expansion of efforts directed at perpetrators to safeguard women at high risk.
In the Southwestern German state of Baden-Württemberg alone, the gut-wrenching statistics show 25 such tragic losses last year. Ute Seifried, the First Mayor of Singen, poignantly stated, "Statistically speaking, a woman's own home is the most dangerous place for her. The greatest danger comes from a partner or ex-partner." Katrin Lehmann, a consultant for women and girls at Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband Baden-Württemberg, echoed this sentiment, calling femicide "the deliberate killing of women because they are women."
To safeguard women at high risk, a national support system consisting of advice centers and adequate shelter facilities in women's shelters is essential. The tragic case of a former resident at the Singen women's shelter, shot dead by her husband in the presence of her son, despite ample police cooperation and protective measures, remains a haunting reminder of the urgent need for change. Vanessa Wind from Frauen und Kinderschutz e.V. in Singen lamented, "Despite good cooperation with the police in Singen and comprehensive protective measures, it was not possible to prevent this crime."
The escalating number of femicides in Germany underlines the necessity of intensified collaboration with perpetrators to stymie further acts of violence. The proposed legal framework will necessitate the ability to arrest a perpetrator in the event of recurring threats and the suspension of contact in custody decisions. This reinforced legal framework will give added weight to preventing future violence.
Yet, even with police collaboration and protective measures, some women continue to be vulnerable abroad. The case in point, a former resident at the Singen women's shelter whose life was taken in front of her son, underscores this distressing reality.
Crucial components in the fight against femicides include offender programs, public awareness campaigns, and enhanced coordination between support services. The new Violence Protection Act in Germany, which prioritizes violence prevention through offender programs, funnels resources towards education and mental health support for perpetrators. The Act also emphasizes increased funding, particularly for women's shelters, and a redefinition of rape to better serve the needs of survivors.
However, some criticize the Act's implementation timeline, which will not be fully in effect until 2032, as potentially fuelling the escalation of gender-based violence. The ultimate goal of all efforts must be to ensure a safer, more equitable world where women are no longer at the mercy of their own homes, partners, or ex-partners.
Once again, we reiterate the chilling statistics that plague Germany and are asking for your support in bringing those who enact such horrific acts to justice, and in protecting women from the dangers that lurk within their own homes. Together, we can create a world where women are free from fear and empowered to live their lives with dignity and respect.
