Increasing violence against women: red alert in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania!

Increasing violence against women: red alert in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania!

A worrying trend is emerging in northern Germany: violence against women in the domestic environment is increasing. The Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania State Criminal Police Office reports that, although the final figures for the current year are still pending, an increase in violent attacks is to be expected. Particularly alarming is the fact that the numbers have been rising relentlessly in recent years, drawing both public and political attention to the issue. The situation will continue to worsen in the coming days, as November 25th is the International Day against Violence against Women, on which actions are planned nationwide to draw attention to this urgent problem.

In 2024 there were 5,249 victims of domestic violence in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. However, the number of unreported cases is likely to be much higher, as the reporting rate for intimate partner violence is only less than five percent according to the Federal Situation Report on Domestic Violence. This is particularly critical since around 70% of victims are women - exactly 3,673 in 2024. The statistics clearly show that (ex-)partners are the perpetrators in most cases, which is fueling the social debate about prevention and help for those affected.

Cases of femicide shock the nation

Domestic violence has even taken on more fatal features: in 2023, five women were killed by partners or ex-partners. These incidents are not simply isolated incidents, but part of a disturbing pattern, as shown by the case of Derya, who died at the hands of her partner in 2021. Almost every other day in Germany a woman is killed by her partner, although many of these acts cannot be viewed as sudden acts - the women often suffer from psychological and physical violence for years. The social and legal framework conditions here urgently need to be reconsidered, as experts emphasize.

Christina Clemm, a specialist lawyer in criminal and family law, expresses concerns about judicial practice, which often fails to recognize base motives in perpetrators. This leaves many mothers trapped in a hopeless situation because courts often allow them to interact with violent fathers, further endangering women's lives.

Actions for the International Day Against Violence

On the occasion of the International Day against Violence against Women, which is celebrated internationally as “Orange Day”, numerous measures are planned in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. In Wismar, for example, the campaign “Violence doesn't come into the bag” was launched, in which 130,000 campaign bags were distributed. Orange shoes will also be symbolically displayed to honor the women who died as a result of femicide.

Other planned actions include the hoisting of a flag with the inscription “No to violence against women” at the administration building in Wismar as well as information events in Greifswald, Neubrandenburg and Rostock that deal with offers of help for those affected. In Schwerin, a self-assertion course is also offered for girls and young women in order to strengthen them and draw attention to the problem.

The rapidly increasing rates of domestic violence and femicide give cause for concern. The need for action is enormous, and society should work together to better protect women and promote frequent help-seeking. The many Orange Day campaigns are an important step in the right direction, but it is important to really act now and create long-term solutions.

With a view to the reporting and recommendations for action Northern Courier, ZDF and BKA It becomes clear how important it is to give the issue of violence against women a higher priority in society and to encourage women to seek help.