In 2025, the German Bundestag will adopt a draft law for a reliable support system for victims of gender-based and domestic violence
The German Bundestag has passed the draft law on violence assistance in its second and third readings. For the first time, this law guarantees at the federal level that women affected by violence have a free legal right to protection and counselling. The law thus establishes the framework for a reliable support system. The Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ) drafted the bill in extensive consultation with the federal states, leading municipal associations, and civil society.
“One in three women – that means we all know someone.”
“One in three women will be a victim of physical or sexual violence at least once in her life. One in three women – that means we all know someone. Beatings happen across all social classes and in all places. Today we have reached a milestone in this fight against violence against women: With the law passed today, a reliable support system for gender-based and domestic violence can be established in Germany,” said Federal Minister Lisa Paus.
She added: “For the first time, the federal government will participate in providing free protection and counselling services for women and their children affected by violence. Thanks to the persistent support of civil society, we have succeeded in raising awareness of violence against women. I am very grateful that we have now united on this project and were able to pass it in the Bundestag.”
The Violence Assistance Act:
The law establishes an independent legal framework for a reliable and needs-based support system for women experiencing domestic and gender-based violence. It specifies the state's duty to protect women under the Basic Law and its obligations under the Istanbul Convention. At the heart of the draft is a legal entitlement to protection and counselling for women and their children who are victims of gender-based and domestic violence. This entitlement will come into force on January 1, 2032. This is intended to give the federal states sufficient time to expand their support systems accordingly. The law still needs to be approved by the Bundesrat (Federal Council).
What specific goals and measures are there?
Goals:
Protection of women and their children from domestic and gender-based violence; intervention in cases of violence; mitigation of the consequences of violence; prevention to avert or prevent acts of violence
Planned measures:
Provision of sufficient, needs-based and free protection, counselling and support services for women and their children affected by violence; measures for prevention, including perpetrator work and public awareness campaigns; support for structured networking within the specialized support system and the support system with general support services; federal participation in the financing of the support system with 2.6 billion euros until 2036
Source: Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth, Press Release , January 31, 2025