Berlin – Finally, more protection for women in need!
At its meeting on Wednesday, the Federal Cabinet wants to decide that future perpetrators of domestic or partner violence can be monitored using ankle bracelets. The bill, which is available exclusively to BILD, also gives family courts greater powers to protect victims and allows for higher penalties for violations of protection orders – for example a ban on advances or contact.
Principle: Electronic ankle bracelets are ordered when there is a “real danger to life, body, liberty or sexual self-determination” for the victim (in 80 percent of domestic violence cases, women) – as an additional measure to a protection order. If desired, the victim can receive a second device that indicates when the perpetrator is approaching in an unauthorized manner.
The receiver monitors no-approach zones via GPS and shows the victim when the perpetrator is approaching – even outside their own home
▶︎ The purpose of this action: Monitoring is intended to reduce the risk of violating court orders – because perpetrators have to fear being caught sooner. And: If he still violates the conditions, he no longer faces two, but three years in prison or a fine.
Ankle bracelets are a successful model in Spain
Anklet bracelets have been around for a long time in Spain. Conclusion: Of more than 13,000 high-risk cases using ankle bracelets since their introduction in 2009, no protected women were killed. The Federal Ministry of Justice (BMJV) estimates 160 cases per year in Germany. Estimated cost: 16.1 million euros per year. Money that should save lives.
Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig (SPD) believes this tightening will bring change. Hubig told BILD: “Domestic violence is not fate. We can do something. And we must. Every few minutes in Germany, a woman is attacked by her partner or former partner. Almost every day a man kills his partner or former partner. Our constitutional state must do more to curb this violence.”
Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig (56, SPD) and Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (55, CSU) want to improve victim protection in cases of domestic violence
Also Minister of Home Affairs Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) supports the “Spanish model”. Dobrindt told BILD: “When violence increases and women bravely report these crimes, they need protection.” Prohibiting entry for perpetrators is often not enough. “Perpetrators should not determine how safe or unsafe their victims feel. Security must be implemented wherever women wish to move freely.”
The perpetrator must attend violence counseling
This electronic ankle bracelet can be ordered for a maximum of six months. The measure then had to be extended for three months by court order. And: This only happens in extreme cases – and not against the victim’s wishes. In other words: this is a last resort. Hubig’s Law starts first: from the perpetrator.
- Social training courses or violence prevention advice should be a must. Anyone who refuses will be subject to a fine or imprisonment.
- Courts should be allowed to obtain data from gun registries to better assess whether the perpetrator poses a danger.
However, it will still be a long time before the first family court can order the ankle bracelets: the Ministry of Justice estimates that the first order will not be issued until early 2027 at the earliest. Time is needed for national authorities and police to prepare for the ankle bracelets. Because: Whether the perpetrator complies with these requirements in the future will be monitored by the coordinating offices in the federal states.
