As of: March 12, 2024, 12:07 p.m
By: Anna-Lena Kiegerl
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Press
Split
There is a lack of 14,000 places in women's shelters in Germany.
The number of victims of domestic violence is increasing.
But financing poses difficulties.
Frankfurt – There is a lack of places in women’s shelters in Germany – and there are a lot of them.
According to the recommendation of the Istanbul Convention, almost three times as many places are required.
For this reason, the German Institute for Human Rights calls for long-term security of advice and support strategies for women who experience gender-specific violence.
There are currently only 6,800 places in women's shelters - around 14,000 places are missing
There are currently 6,800 places in women's shelters.
That is 14,000 places too few if Germany wants to comply with the requirements of the Istanbul Convention.
“The number of people affected by gender-based violence has increased significantly.
The higher the numbers, the greater the need for protection and advice,” explains Müşerref Tanrıverdi, head of the institute’s gender-based violence reporting unit.
The Istanbul Convention
The Istanbul Convention is the “Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence”.
Victim protection, prevention, criminal prosecution and legal equality between the sexes are part of the agreement.
The focus is on gender-based violence, with an emphasis on domestic violence.
The contracting states are obliged to take various measures within the framework of the convention.
This also includes the establishment of women's shelters.
One family place in one facility per 10,000 residents is recommended.
(Sources: UN Women, nationwide women's shelter statistics)
What was provided for in the coalition agreement, but not implemented, was a “federal legal right to protection and advice for women affected by violence and the financing of the protection system independently on a case-by-case basis,” said Tanrıverdi.
Depending on the federal state, the financing of the facilities also varies greatly.
In addition to state funds, the women's shelters are financed by money from the municipalities and funding from the institutions, such as donations.
The problem: If those affected are not entitled to social benefits, they often have to pay for their place in the women's shelter themselves.
There is a lack of places in women's shelters in Germany.
(Symbolic image) © Imago/Jussi Nukari
Expert calls for rethinking of women's shelters: important for achieving gender equality
The head of the reporting center explains: “There are currently big differences in the quantity and quality of the offers of help.
Ensuring low-threshold, specialized, barrier-free and needs-based support, i.e. a specialized assistance system that is financially secure, is a human rights obligation under the Istanbul Convention.” Help must be easily accessible to all those affected.
“Gender equality can only be achieved if there is effective protection against domestic violence,” she explains.
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Domestic violence has increased in recent years.
In 2022, 240,547 people were victims of domestic violence.
That is 8.5 percent more than in 2021. The Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community gave the figures in July 2023. 71.1 percent of those affected were female.
A total of 702 people died from domestic violence.