On May 11, 2026, Dr. Stefanie Hubig, Federal Minister of Justice and Consumer Protection, presented a revised draft bill for the reform of child custody law . The Child Custody Law Modernization Act (KiMoG) focuses not only on strengthening children's rights, facilitating joint custody for unmarried parents, promoting shared childcare after separation, and establishing agreements on care and visitation, but also specifically addresses the issue of domestic violence.
Specifically, this is expressed in the draft law as follows:
Domestic violence is defined according to the Istanbul Convention.
The well-being of children should also include protection from witnessed violence.
Exclusion of contact in cases of violence to protect the parent affected by violence
Ordering social skills training courses and violence prevention counselling in child protection proceedings
There is no presumption that contact is in the child's best interests.
Ordering a visitation guardianship only in exceptional cases
The duty of consideration (formerly the duty of good conduct) does not apply in cases of domestic violence.
Supervising staff should be highly qualified.
Compared to previous drafts, this proposal now strongly sides with parents affected by violence. Previously vague wording has been clarified and the definition of domestic violence provides a better framework. Both custody and visitation rights can be restricted if violence is perpetrated against the custodial parent.
The relationship to other innovations, which provide for joint care and agreements for separated parents, and how domestic violence is weighted in this context, is currently being evaluated by the Women's Shelter Coordination Association (FHK).
FHK will submit a statement to the legislative process by the deadline for association participation on July 10, 2026.
Quality recommendations
Current women's shelter statistics
