A large proportion of violent experiences in Germany go unreported, according to the central findings of the “LeSuBiA‑Study” (Living Situation, Security and Burden in Everyday Life). The study was carried out by the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) in cooperation with the Federal Ministry of the Interior and the Federal Ministry of Family Affairs.
Across all types of violence the reporting rates are uniformly low, usually below ten per cent. In (ex‑)partner relationships the figures drop below five per cent for both psychological and physical violence. Women are affected more often and more severely than men, especially in cases of sexual assault, sexual harassment and stalking. In general, women, young people, migrants and members of the queer community are the groups that experience violence most frequently.
Federal Minister for Family Affairs Karin Prien (CDU) commented that the data “make visible what has long stayed hidden: the vast dark field of partner and sexualised violence”. She added that almost every sixth person in Germany has experienced physical partner violence and that “19 of 20 incidents are not reported”. Prien stresses that the silence is not individual failure but a result of fear and the lack of accessible help. “That is why we are removing barriers and creating a reliable, nationwide safety net with the Violence Assistance Act. We must prevent violence before it starts. Blame and shame always belong to the perpetrators, never to the victims” she said.
Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) outlined new measures, noting that German law will now apply the same penalties for the use of knockout powder as for firearms. He announced plans to bring the Spanish model of electronic restraints to Germany and emphasised the importance of early education for young people about the beginnings of partner violence, aiming for greater protection for victims and harsher punishments for offenders.
BKA President Holger Münch highlighted that this is the first comprehensive gender‑crossing dark‑field dataset on violent experiences in Germany. He said that the robust data will aid the targeted development of protection and support services and that it is also crucial to encourage more victims to report violence in order to receive help.
Analysis of the past five years shows that men are also frequently victimised by psychological violence (23.3 % of men vs. 23.8 % of women) and, particularly, controlling behaviour (8.7 % of men vs. 7.1 % of women). Physical partner violence affected 16.1 % of the cohort in their lifetime and 5.7 % within the last five years. In that period, about 5.2 % of women and 6.1 % of men experienced physical violence, nearly equal figures.
Age is a significant factor: young people are affected by almost all forms of violence far more often than older adults. Sexual harassment, digital violence and the use of knockout powder are especially common among the younger cohort.
Over half of those surveyed reported having witnessed violence between parents or guardians during childhood. More than a quarter experienced physical violence and more than a third experienced psychological violence. Nearly one in four also observed violence between their caregivers, and those who witnessed such incidents were themselves more likely to become victims of caregiver‑related violence.
Sexual harassment was reported by 45.8 % of respondents at some point in their lives, and 26.5 % in the last five years. Among women, 34.7 % had been sexually harassed without contact in the last five years, compared with 14.5 % of men. Physical contact harassment affected 14.5 % of women and 4.6 % of men. The perpetrators were mostly strangers or casually known individuals.
Sexual assault was experienced by 11.2 % of respondents at least once in their lives; 2.7 % reported such incidents in the past five years. Women were affected nearly twice as often as men (4.0 % vs. 1.4 %). For women, the ex‑partner was most frequently the perpetrator (46.5 %); for men, a casually known person accounted for 33.3 %.
Stalking affected 21.2 % of respondents over their lifetimes, and 9.0 % within the last five years. Slightly higher rates were observed for women (10.6 % in the last five years) compared to men (7.0 %).
Digital violence was reported by 20.0 % of women and 13.9 % of men in the last five years. Victims were comparatively young: more than 60 % of women aged 16‑17 and about one‑third of men aged 16‑17 had experienced digital violence in that period.
