Victims of domestic violence should find it easier in the future to separate themselves spatially from their abusers. This is what a draft law from the office of Federal Minister of Justice Stefanie Hubig (SPD) proposes, which the newspapers of the Funke Media Group (Monday editions) report on. Hubig stated, “The path to an independent and safe life is often still long after domestic violence. We want to make it a bit easier.” Accordingly, someone who has experienced domestic violence should be able to exit a shared tenancy agreement with the perpetrator more easily.
The draft law stipulates that victims of domestic violence will have clear legal claims against the perpetrator in the future and will be able to leave a joint rental agreement more easily. Furthermore, they will be able to demand that the perpetrator fundamentally cover costs arising from the rental relationship after their departure. This includes, for example, damage to the apartment, as well as rent payments that must continue after the occupant moves out.
In addition, the draft law introduces enhanced protection for children and relatives of victims of domestic violence. According to Hubig, family courts will be able to order protective measures in the future even without a separate application for individuals dependent on the violence victim. Under the existing violence protection law, family courts can already issue long-term contact or proximity bans, but currently only for the victim themselves. Other vulnerable parties in the household, such as children or dependent relatives, have previously been excluded from this protection.
