With the Protection against Violence Act and the Violence Assistance Act, the former federal government has launched two key legal initiatives to strengthen the protection of people affected by violence. Now it is time to face the challenges of implementation and funding. What is needed is permanent financial security for the support services. “This is the only way to ensure that all those affected receive the protection and support they urgently need,” emphasizes Katrin Raczynski, spokesperson for the board of the Humanist Association of Germany.
The Humanist Association of Germany – Federal Association welcomes the fact that the former Federal Government has responded to the urgent problem of violence against women. The adopted violence protection strategy formulates clear goals for combating violence against women and domestic violence and underlines the establishment of a coordination office in accordance with the Istanbul Convention for the period 2025-2030.
“The legal initiatives are important steps towards improving the protection of women from violence and making it easier for them to access the necessary support services. Nevertheless, it remains a task for society as a whole to take decisive action against violence against women and to ensure their protection and support at both a legal and social level,” says Katrin Raczynski.
The revised Protection against Violence Act provides for more effective enforcement of protective measures. Among other things, new regulations enable electronic monitoring of whereabouts (electronic ankle bracelet for perpetrators) in high-risk cases and mandatory social training courses to reduce violent behavior in the long term. This is intended to ensure that protection orders are enforced more consistently and victims are better protected.
At the same time, the Violence Assistance Act introduces a nationwide legal entitlement to protection and counseling for victims of domestic and gender-based violence for the first time. It is intended to help close existing gaps in the support system and secure long-term funding for women’s shelters and advice centers. The Federal Council approved the law on February 14, 2025.
