Women's Shelter Coordination Association (FHK), the German Association of Women Lawyers (djb) and the pioneering Women's group of the Police Union (GdP) Call on Chancellor Friedrich Merz to make violence prevention a top priority and to convene a national violence prevention conference..
The published today Darkfield study LeSuBiA proven: Physical and psychological violence in (ex-)partnerships occurs 20 times more frequently than it is reported. (Display behavior below five percent). One in five women who experience violence from their partner fears for her life. One in seven women experiences sexual violence. Women with a migration background are particularly affected by violence.
The violence against women is predominantly perpetrated by men. (98 percent in partnerships, 90 percent in cases of sexualized violence, 70 percent in cases of digital violence). What organizations have been saying for years has now been scientifically proven: For those affected, it is still incredibly difficult to find effective support to leave an abusive relationship.
The dark figure study “Living situation, safety and stress in everyday life” (LeSuBiA) is a joint project of Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) and the Federal Ministry of Education, Family, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMBFSFJ)).
Since the last major dark figure study in 2004, current, representative data on the prevalence of violence in Germany has been lacking. LeSuBiA closes this gap and, for the first time, records the full extent of intimate partner violence, sexual violence, and digital violence across genders – regardless of whether the acts were reported or not.
“There can be no further delay when it comes to ‘innermost security’ – security in one’s own home – in light of the alarming results of the LeSuBiA study.”“This is what FHK Managing Director Sibylle Schreiber states.”
FHK therefore demands that all relevant stakeholders come together at a National Violence Protection Conference and initiate binding immediate measures.
The German Association of Women Lawyers (djb) sees the LeSuBiA study as a clear mandate for the justice system:
"The figures show that we need a paradigm shift. Law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and judges must be required to undergo mandatory training in gender-based and domestic violence – not as an option, but as a standard practice. “This also requires ongoing empirical data on all forms and effects of gender-based and domestic violence,” said Dilken Çelebi, LL.M., Chair of the Criminal Law Commission at the djb.
The German Association of Women Lawyers (djb) calls for mandatory continuing education for all persons involved in family and criminal proceedings to be enshrined in law. Only with specialized knowledge can courts recognize the true extent of violent dynamics and deliver appropriate judgments.
The women's group of the German Police Union (GdP) sees the police in a key role:
"If less than five percent of (former) domestic violence cases are ever reported, the police need to be better prepared and more sensitized.“This is essential to recognize warning signs in time and protect victims. It includes a deeper understanding of the dynamics of abusive relationships and clear operational standards that provide security for victims, even if they themselves do not yet dare to file a report,” said Erika Krause-Schöne, Federal Women’s Chair of the GdP (German Police Union).
The women's group of the GdP demands the The establishment of specialized departments across all police stations, the absolutely necessary resources for this, and mandatory, regular training courses for the police. The effectiveness of raising awareness is demonstrated, among other things, by the Brandenburg police's campaign for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on November 25, 2025, entitled "Words Instead of Wounds": Police officers gave public readings on the topic of domestic violence and brought support services directly to the people. Also, the legal changes in the state of Schleswig-Holstein These are examples that should be highlighted. However, these should not remain isolated solutions.
At the same time, Sibylle Schreiber, FHK Managing Director, notes:"But not only political, but All social actors must take responsibility against violence and for greater safety for all women, including, for example, companies and corporations.. "
The cosmetics company cosnova, which has been cooperating with FHK for several years, shows what this can look like in practice.
“Cosnova says no” initiative For three years, cosnova has been clearly committed to combating violence against women. Its goal is to make violence visible, demand societal responsibility, and give a voice to victims.
“Violence against women is not a private problem, but a societal one,” says Astrid Haury, Senior Corporate Responsibility Manager at cosnova. “We want to raise awareness, educate, and provide concrete support.”
cosnova finances the Support fund der Frauenhauskoordinierung eV supports prevention work and is committed in the long term to an equal and violence-free future for women.
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