German Federal Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig (SPD) will protect women better against partner violence – with ankle‑cuffs for noticeable men and harsher sentences for offenders.
“We have a very serious problem with partner violence in Germany” she told the “Stern”. “The top priority for me is, therefore, that we protect women better from violence by their partner or ex‑partner”.
She said she wants family courts “empowered to order violent offenders to wear an electronic ankle‑cuff”. These could save lives. An ankle‑cuff order would also be possible even if no violence has yet occurred. Moreover, the minister said she is currently examining whether cases in which a man, for instance, kills a woman out of a sense of male ownership, should generally be regarded as murder. “Maximum penalties for femicide are already possible under current criminal law” Hubig said. “But: we are also looking at the murder statutes”. However, she added that a change to the murder offence would be highly demanding.
Hubig acknowledged that courts sometimes still hold an old‑fashioned view of the roles of men and women in relationships: “In parts of society we still have a woman’s image that is very traditional and old‑fashioned. And of course the justice system is a mirror of society”.
In recent years, hundreds of women in Germany have been killed by their husbands, partners or former partners. In 2023 and 2024 there were at least 280 cases. According to a study by the “Stern” based on the analysis of police reports, press coverage and case files from criminal proceedings, about 90 cases were publicized last year.