The German cabinet is poised to approve a draft law introducing electronic monitoring-specifically, ankle bracelets-for perpetrators of domestic violence, a move intended to bolster protections for victims and address the escalating crisis of intimate partner violence. The legislation, slated for cabinet approval on Wednesday, signifies a shift towards more proactive intervention strategies by the German justice system.
Under the proposed law, courts would be empowered to mandate the use of electronic ankle monitors when a victim faces a credible threat to their life, physical integrity, freedom, or sexual self-determination. The measure is envisioned as a supplementary tool to existing protective orders, such as contact or proximity bans. Victims deemed eligible would receive a receiver device that alerts them to unauthorized approaches by the offender.
Crucially, the law stipulates that the monitoring will be reserved for high-risk cases and will not be implemented against the wishes of the victim. The initial duration for the monitoring is set at six months, with potential extensions of three months thereafter. Alongside electronic monitoring, the draft legislation mandates participation in violence prevention or social training courses for offenders, with potential fines or imprisonment for non-compliance.
The amendments also include a strengthening of penalties for violations of existing court-ordered protective measures, increasing the maximum potential prison sentence to three years or a substantial fine-a significant increase from the previous limit of two years.
Federal Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig (SPD) emphasized the urgency of the issue in a statement to “Bild”, stating, “Domestic violence is not inevitable. We can do something and we must”. She highlighted the stark reality of the statistics, noting that a woman is attacked by a partner or ex-partner in Germany every few minutes and a man murders his partner or ex-partner nearly every other day. “Our rule of law must do more to push back against this violence.
While proponents hail the legislative package as a vital step forward in supporting victims and deterring perpetrators, critics express concerns about the potential for misapplication and the reliance on technology as a substitute for deeper structural changes. Some legal experts caution that solely focusing on monitoring may not address the underlying causes of domestic violence and could inadvertently place a disproportionate burden on victims if the system is not carefully implemented and adequately resourced. The effectiveness of the measures will ultimately depend on robust implementation protocols, victim support services and judiciary training.