Tenth Family Report: Important impulses for support and protection of single parents and their children

On 15 January 2025, the 10th Family Report of the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ) The report, prepared by an independent commission of experts, is the first to comprehensively address the situation of single and separated parents and their children.

With a detailed inventory and concrete recommendations for action, it focuses in particular on protection from violence, strengthening children's rights and needs-based support for vulnerable families.

Single parents in focus – risk of poverty and burdens are increasing

In Germany, 1,69 million single parents live with children under the age of 18, representing approximately 20 percent of all family types. 17 percent of all children grow up in single-parent households. The report clearly shows that single parents and their children are disproportionately affected by or at risk of poverty.

Single mothers are particularly at risk, even though the majority of them are employed and often work more hours than mothers in couples. Health and psychological stress, including depression and stress, are significantly higher in this group – with negative effects on the well-being of their children.

The expert commission formulates four central objectives:

• Promoting the economic independence of mothers and fathers
• Strengthening shared parental responsibility
• Consideration of particularly vulnerable life situations (vulnerabilities)
• Recognition and promotion of the diversity of family forms

From the perspective of the Women's Shelter Coordination Association (FHK), the recommendations on protection from violence and support in family court proceedings (Chapter 6) are particularly relevant. The commission calls for greater consideration of the voices of children and young people in family court proceedings, thus realizing children's rights.

Especially in cases of suspected domestic violence, the goal should not be to reach a consensual custody arrangement as quickly as possible. The deadlines currently provided for in family procedural law (FamFG) are too short in such cases.

Protection against domestic violence – expansion of the support system urgently needed

The report underscores the urgent need for action to protect against domestic violence. It is necessary to raise public awareness that single and separated parents and their children are a key target group for women's shelters and are dependent on the protection and support provided by women's shelters.

In this regard, the Commission recommends:

• Comprehensive introduction of risk management concepts and valid risk assessment instruments
• Mandatory training for professionals and cross-institutional cooperation for intervention, protection and securing evidence
• Expansion of specialised counselling centres for children and young people as well as offender work services

In light of the Istanbul Convention, there is still a shortage of more than 14.000 places in women's shelters nationwide. The Commission calls for women's shelters to be equipped to meet their needs, especially for children, and for access barriers to be removed – both structurally and financially.

There needs to be greater public awareness of the fact that dependent children of parents affected by violence also need protection and support.

FHK welcomes recommendations and calls for rapid political implementation

Women's Shelter Coordination Association expressly welcomes the clear recommendations of the 10th Family Report. Many demands, such as the expansion of women's shelter places, the legal enshrinement of a legal right to protection and counseling, and the inclusive expansion of the support system, are in line with the Key demands of FHK.

The planned Reform of child law, which is intended to clarify protection in the event of violence and focus on the welfare of children, is an important step – and must now be urgently taken up by the new government.

FHK therefore demands: Implement recommendations now!

• „Violence Support Services Act“ with legal entitlement to protection and advice and women's shelter places expand according to needs and barrier-free together
• Specialized offers for Children in women's shelters build and expand
• Make cross-institutional cooperation and further training mandatory for specialists
• Children's rights in family court proceedings consistently take into account