The German Left party’s parliamentary spokesperson for women’s affairs and deputy faction leader, Kathrin Gebel, is escalating criticism against the federal government, accusing it of frequently abandoning victims of domestic violence. In an interview with the “Rheinische Post” Gebel argued that the current situation constitutes further evidence of what victims and women’s shelters have been consistently reporting for years: violence is not an isolated incident but a pervasive reality.
Gebel dismissed the government’s recent isolated initiatives as insufficient, asserting the urgent need for a comprehensively funded support system. Her demands include significantly increased numbers of protected housing units, fortified women’s shelters and a more robust focus on rehabilitating perpetrators.
A central point of contention lies in the prioritization of legal proceedings. Gebel underscored that as long as custody and visitation rights take precedence over victims’ safety and protection, the government is failing in its responsibility towards women and children. She demanded a renewed political commitment to dismantling patriarchal violence, linking it to broader socioeconomic issues.
“The ability to escape abusive relationships is fundamentally tied to economic security” Gebel stated. “We need affordable housing and the opportunity for women to live free from poverty, enabling them to break free from violent men.
Beyond immediate support services, Gebel identified a vital need for systemic reform within the judicial system. She called for mandatory and specialized training for police officers, judges and prosecutors to address ingrained biases and ensure a victim-centered approach. “These are just a few examples that would genuinely assist those affected, rather than merely offering empty promises” she concluded, signaling a deepening political rift over the government’s response to domestic violence.