Saxony has approved the Violence Assistance Act in the Bundesrat. Social Affairs Minister Petra Köpping (SPD) spoke of a milestone in the fight against violence against women and girls. "Every third woman is a victim of physical or sexualized violence at least once in her life. The number of assaults has been rising dramatically for years," emphasized the Minister. Domestic and sexualized violence takes place every day - regardless of the age, origin or social status of those affected.
A right to help, but no right to a place in a women's shelter
Until now, those affected could only hope for help. Now, a binding right to care has been established, which can also be enforced in administrative courts. In addition, affected women will no longer have to bear the costs of accommodation in a shelter in future. The legal entitlement provides for a right to help, but not a right to a place in a women's shelter. At the same time, this means that in future no facility will be forced to take in a particular woman.
Violence against women has been on the rise for years
Threats and beatings occur "in all places and from all walks of life", said Paus. According to the latest police report on gender-specific violence, a woman was killed by a man almost every day in 2023 because she is a woman. 400 women a day were victims of intimate partner violence. "Our 350 women's shelters and 100 shelters nationwide are not enough," explained Paus. In 2022, 15,000 people seeking protection had to be turned away: "So there really is an urgent need for action."
