Germany is considering legislative changes aimed at strengthening protections against domestic violence. The Federal Ministry of Justice unveiled a draft bill on Monday designed to enhance preventative measures and increase support for victims.
The proposed amendments primarily focus on the Protection Against Violence Act, introducing provisions that would allow family courts to mandate the use of electronic monitoring – specifically ankle bracelets – for perpetrators of domestic violence.
Beyond electronic surveillance, the draft legislation would empower family courts to require offenders to participate in violence prevention training programs. It also outlines stricter penalties for violations of protective orders, such as restraining orders.
The proposed changes also grant family courts the authority to access information from the national firearms registry to better assess risk factors in cases involving domestic violence and child welfare. This access is intended to improve the comprehensive evaluation of potential threats.
Federal Minister of Justice Stefanie Hubig emphasized the urgent need for increased action against domestic violence, citing statistics that reveal a woman is attacked by a current or former partner every few minutes in Germany. Tragically, a woman is killed by a partner or ex-partner almost every other day.
Minister Hubig highlighted the potential of electronic monitoring to save lives, referencing successful implementations in countries like Spain. The bill aims to make this preventative tool available nationwide, prioritizing the protection of women from domestic violence. The Minister affirmed that addressing domestic violence will be a key focus of legal policy during this legislative term, stating that every instance of domestic violence is unacceptable.
