Berlin Justice Senator Felor Badenberg supports the plan Federal Government Electronic ankle bracelets to provide better protection to victims of domestic violence are not enough. Unfortunately, the draft adopted by the Federal Cabinet falls far short of practical expectations, CDU politicians told the German Press Agency.
What is needed is a fast and efficient system to effectively protect women at risk, Badenberg said. “That is why we must dare to abandon German responsibility here by collecting judicial responsibility,” stressed the senator.
In the Spanish system – which could be a model – the same judge makes the decision about wearing ankle bracelets. But in Germany, responsibilities are not unified, the senator said. Under current plans, family courts would be able to require offenders to wear such devices to determine their location. This must then be enforced with the assistance of bailiffs and requests for administrative assistance.
Warning to victims via device
The federal cabinet passed a draft law on electronic ankle bracelets on Wednesday. The law stipulates that family courts can require offenders to wear such devices. If the perpetrator approaches, the victim will be alerted via the receiver and, if necessary, can get to a safe place in time or seek support. The police must also be alert automatically when a perpetrator approaches.
Some states have implemented the use of electronic ankle bracelets to protect against domestic violence in their respective police laws for a limited period of time. However, there is also a desire from states to create federal regulations in the Violence Protection Act.
More than 300 women and girls were killed
According to the latest figures, 308 women and girls were violently murdered in Germany last year. According to police crime statistics in 2024, a total of 859 women and girls were victims of attempted and murdered total (2023: 938). For 68 percent of those affected (587), the suspect was a partner, ex-partner, family member, friend or someone they knew.
As seen from the federal situation report “Gender-specific crimes against women in 2024”, 53,451 women were victims of sexual crimes (+2.1 percent). 187,128 women experienced domestic violence (+3.5) and 18,224 women were exposed to digital violence, such as coercion, threats or stalking (+6).
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