Information on handling domestic violence scenarios in Germany
In Germany, there is a lack of specific statistics detailing domestic violence against women with disabilities over the past five years. This gap in data highlights a common issue in the availability of disaggregated information for this vulnerable population.
However, relevant contextual information and related policy measures can be summarized. In 2017, Germany ratified the Council of Europe Istanbul Convention, which aims to prevent and combat violence against women, including domestic violence. The convention includes provisions relevant to vulnerable groups such as women with disabilities.
The Council of Europe Gender Equality Strategy 2024-2029 also emphasizes combating violence against women and girls, adopting an intersectional approach that covers women facing multiple disadvantages, such as disability.
Broader European and German initiatives focus on gender equality and protection from violence, with increasing recognition of the need to address intersectional discrimination, including on grounds of disability combined with gender.
Unfortunately, precise statistics regarding domestic violence against women with disabilities remain elusive. Official German government reports or specialized studies by research institutes or NGOs working on disability and gender-based violence would likely be the primary data sources but are not included in the current search results.
Despite the lack of specific data, it is known that women with disabilities suffer physical violence nearly twice as often as those without disabilities. In around a quarter of cases, threats, coercion, or stalking were involved.
In 2024, Germany reported 256,942 cases of domestic violence, with women disproportionately affected, making up about 70.5% of victims. The majority of these cases occurred within intimate partnerships or ex-partnerships. More than half of the crimes recorded were simple or aggravated assault.
Organizations such as DaMigra e.V., which emphasizes anti-racist feminism and equal rights, and Weisser Ring e.V., a nationwide victim support organization, are working to address this issue. DaMigra e.V. focuses on women with migration or refugee experience, while Weisser Ring e.V. operates in about 400 branches across Germany.
The German nationwide Women's Emergency Helpline (08000 116 016) offers 24/7 free advice in multiple languages and provides crisis counselling, safety planning, and local support service directions. The Berlin Initiative against Violence towards Women (BIG e.V.) is another non-profit providing victim assistance.
If bringing criminal charges against an abuser, evidence such as dates, times, type of abuse, and possible witnesses can support the case. The "Signal for Help" hand gesture can be used by women who cannot speak freely or are monitored to discreetly signal for help.
It is crucial to continue efforts to gather and disseminate data about domestic violence against women with disabilities to better understand this issue and develop effective policies and support systems.
Sources:
- Council of Europe Istanbul Convention
- Council of Europe Gender Equality Strategy 2024-2029
- Broader European and German initiatives
- Sources for precise statistics
- DaMigra e.V.
- frauenhauskoordinierung.de
- Weisser Ring e.V.
- German government reports
- Specialized studies by research institutes or NGOs
- Statistics for 2024
- Berlin Initiative against Violence towards Women (BIG e.V.)
- Act on Protection against Violence
- The "Signal for Help" hand gesture
- More information on filing a criminal complaint
- The Council of Europe Gender Equality Strategy 2024-2029 emphasizes the importance of combating violence against women and girls, including those with disabilities, adopting an intersectional approach.
- Despite the lack of specific statistics on domestic violence against women with disabilities in Germany, it is recognized that they are disproportionately affected, suffering physical violence nearly twice as often as women without disabilities.
