Berlin, Nov 24, : The Ministry for Family Affairs (BMFSFJ), announced that the number of violence incidents among German couples and ex-partners increased in 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic. According to data from Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), authorities registered 146,655 domestic violence cases in the country last year.This is an increase of 4.9% over the previous year.
“The judiciary should pursue these acts with great determination towards the perpetrators, and with sensitivity to the victims,” Xinhua quoted Christine Lambrecht, Minister of Family Affairs, as saying.
“We must do all we can to help the victims so they can escape violence and protect themselves as well as their children.”
According to the BKA data the majority of domestic violence cases were still committed by men.
However, the percentage of female suspects has increased slightly in recent years to 20.9 percent.
The BMFSFJ stated that violence between German partners may have increased during the pandemic-induced lockdowns.
This was because victims were unable to report on the situation and outsiders were unable to see the violence.
According to the Ministry, the lockdowns saw a significant increase in the number of women calling the national “Violence against Women” hotline.
Last year, 51,000 calls were made, which is around 15% more than the previous year.
Holger Muench, President of BKA, stated that “no perpetrator should feel secure from prosecution.” He urged citizens to be vigilant, pay attention to others, and contact counselling centres and the police if they have any suspicions.
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