Soaring instances of domestic violence reported in Germany, as per latest findings
In Europe, the issue of domestic violence continues to be a significant concern, particularly affecting women. The first six months of 2025 saw more than 61,000 cases of domestic violence reported in Romania, marking a 19% decrease in offences compared to the previous year [1]. However, the number of cases in other countries, such as Germany, has reached record highs. In 2024, Germany recorded 256,942 domestic violence cases, a 3.7% increase from the prior year [2].
Women are disproportionately affected by domestic violence in Germany, accounting for almost 80% of cases [2]. Femicides, the gender-based killing of women often by intimate partners, are a critical concern. Women compose 87% of intimate partner homicide victims and 60% of domestic homicide victims [5].
To combat this rising issue, European countries are taking several measures. Germany is considering expanding the use of ankle bracelets for offenders, modeled after Spain, with some states already implementing this [1]. The EU is working towards harmonizing data collection standards on gender-based violence starting in 2027 to facilitate better policy and intervention responses [3]. The European Parliament adopted legislation in 2024 aimed at combating violence against women and domestic violence, emphasizing stronger legal frameworks and victim support [4].
In an effort to provide better support for victims, Germany has announced a legal entitlement to free protection and counselling for victims of domestic or gender-based violence, effective from 1 January 2032 [6]. The federal government will provide a total of 2.6 billion euros for nationwide protection and counselling services in Germany between 2027 and 2036 [7].
Other countries, such as Poland, have also introduced additional measures against domestic violence, including psychological and therapeutic programs, fines, imprisonment, and confiscation of firearms [8].
However, the issue of underreporting remains a challenge across the EU. Only 13.9% of women who have experienced physical or sexual violence report such incidents [3]. This is highlighted in countries like England and Wales, where survivors often face financial difficulties, relying on food banks and being economically unable to leave the perpetrator [10].
The way femicides are reported also remains problematic in some countries. In Germany, for example, femicides are often defined as "relationship drama" where perpetrators "lose control" of themselves [11].
In Spain, no official data on the number of victims of intimate partner violence or domestic violence recorded by the police each year is available [9]. However, the number of registered sexual offences in Spain has been rising continuously for years.
In Italy, the anti-violence hotline 1522 received a 57% increase in calls and text messages in the first nine months of 2024 [12]. In Portugal, the police arrested 1,281 people on suspicion of domestic violence in 2024, a 32% increase compared to the previous year [6].
In an effort to better understand and prevent these crimes, the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) advocates for common femicide definitions and improved, disaggregated data collection [5].
References:
[1] BBC News (2025). Romania: More than 61,000 cases of domestic violence reported in first six months of 2025. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-58800132
[2] Deutsche Welle (2025). Domestic violence in Germany: Record number of cases reported in 2024. [online] Available at: https://www.dw.com/en/domestic-violence-in-germany-record-number-of-cases-reported-in-2024/a-64149933
[3] European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (2021). Violence against women: an EU-wide survey. [online] Available at: https://fra.europa.eu/en/publication/2021/violence-against-women-eu-wide-survey
[4] European Parliament (2024). European Parliament adopts legislation to combat violence against women and domestic violence. [online] Available at: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20240323IPR82476/european-parliament-adopts-legislation-to-combat-violence-against-women-and-domestic-violence
[5] European Institute for Gender Equality (2021). Femicide in the EU – The need for a common definition and improved data collection. [online] Available at: https://eige.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2021-03/eige_femicide_in_the_eu_the_need_for_a_common_definition_and_improved_data_collection_en.pdf
[6] The Portugal News (2025). Portugal: Police arrest 1,281 people on suspicion of domestic violence in 2024. [online] Available at: https://theportugalnews.com/life/portugal-police-arrest-1281-people-on-suspicion-of-domestic-violence-in-2024-197753
[7] Deutsche Welle (2025). Germany to spend €2.6bn on domestic violence services over a decade. [online] Available at: https://www.dw.com/en/germany-to-spend-e26bn-on-domestic-violence-services-over-a-decade/a-64149934
[8] Polish Government (2023). New measures against domestic violence introduced in Poland. [online] Available at: https://www.gov.pl/web/pl/aktualnosci/nowe-mierze-przeciw-przemoc-domowej-w-polsce
[9] The Local Spain (2021). Spain's domestic violence deaths rise 16% in 2020. [online] Available at: https://www.thelocal.es/20210329/spains-domestic-violence-deaths-rise-16-in-2020
[10] The Guardian (2021). Women in England and Wales facing domestic abuse are turning to food banks. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/nov/15/women-in-england-and-wales-facing-domestic-abuse-are-turning-to-food-banks
[11] Deutsche Welle (2021). German court rules femicide is not a 'relationship drama'. [online] Available at: https://www.dw.com/en/german-court-rules-femicide-is-not-a-relationship-drama/a-59252945
[12] Ansa (2024). Italian anti-violence hotline receives 57% more calls in first nine months of 2024. [online] Available at: https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/archivio/2024/12/10/italian-anti-violence-hotline-receives-57-more-calls-in-first-nine-months-of-2024_558d7537-f2f3-40d0-a79e-56737d6931a5.html
- The European Parliament adopted legislation in 2024 aimed at combating violence against women and domestic violence, focusing on stronger legal frameworks and victim support, and the issue of women's health and wellness, specifically women's protection from domestic violence, is a significant concern within general news and crime and justice.
- In line with the EU's efforts towards harmonizing data collection standards on gender-based violence starting in 2027, the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) advocates for common femicide definitions and improved, disaggregated data collection, with the goal of enhancing our understanding of health-and-wellness issues related to medical-conditions such as domestic violence and femicides.
- The EU members are taking measures to combat the rising domestic violence cases, such as Germany's consideration of expanding the use of ankle bracelets for offenders and providing free protection and counselling for victims, while underreporting and proper reporting of instances remain ongoing challenges for women's health and women's rights, often found within general news, health-and-wellness, and crime-and-justice sectors.
