Rape, coercion or even forced prostitution: More than 114,000 women were abused by their partner or ex-partner in Germany last year, according to new figures released on International Day Against Violence Against Women.
At least one woman is physically injured every hour on average at the hands of their partner in Germany, according to new figures released on Monday. In total, more than 114,000 women were victims of domestic violence, threats, stalking or coercion by their partners or ex-partners in 2018.
Of these victims, 122 were killed that year — one every three days.
German Family Minister Franziska Giffey presented the "alarming figures" to mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
"They show that far too many women continue to be subjected to violence by her partner or ex-partner. More than once an hour, a woman was dangerously injured in 2018," Giffey said.
"We must ensure that violence against women is recognized as early as possible and that women are helped as quickly as possible. Violence against women concerns us all."
While the willingness to report incidents of abuse has risen, there are still unreported cases that suggest the total number of victims and survivors of domestic violence is higher.
In pictures: Demanding an end to violence against women
November 25 marks International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Citizens around the world took to the streets to call on lawmakers to do more to curb all forms of violence targeting women.
Image: Reuters
Human rights violation
"Violence against women and girls is among the most widespread, and devastating human rights violations in the world, but much of it is often unreported due to impunity, shame and gender inequality," said the UN in a statement marking International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. In Guatemala, 571 women have been killed so far in 2019.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/O. Estrada
1 in 3 women experience violence
A third of all women and girls experience physical or sexual abuse in their lifetime, according to the UN. Half of the women killed worldwide were killed by their partners or members of the family.
Image: picture-alliance/AA/M. Yalcin
Femicide growing in France
Data collected by women's advocacy group "Feminicides par compagnons ou ex"("Femicide by partner or ex") found that 74 women in France were killed by their husband or partner in 2019 so far. The year's final toll is expected to surpass last year's figures.
Image: picture-alliance/AA/M. Yalcin
'France's shame'
The rate of women killed at the hands of their partner in France is among the highest in Europe, which French President Emmanuel Macron has called "France's shame." On November 25, the government unveiled new measures aimed at reducing the number of victims, including a pledge to seize firearms from abusive spouses, the creation of 1,000 new women's shelters and better police training.
Image: picture-alliance/NurPhoto/A. Pitton
'Alarming figures'
In Germany, figures showed that at least one woman is physically injured every hour on average at the hands of their partner. German Family Minister Franziska Giffey announced on November 25 that the government will spend €30 million ($33 million) a year over the next four years toward increasing the capacity of women's shelters. As of 2019, there were 350 shelters nationwide.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/B. von Jutrczenka
Footballers don red streaks
Italian footballers in the country's top league, Serie A, took to the pitch with red streaks on their faces as part of a call to end violence against women. UC Sampdoria and Udinese Calcio took part in the campaign in Genoa, which coincided with International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
Image: Getty Images/P. Rattini
'Our bones are all the same'
In Italy, 142 women were killed through domestic violence, up 0.7% from the previous year, according to figures released Monday. Trauma surgeon Maria Grazia Vantadori in Milan came up with the idea to show the X-rays of domestic violence abuse victims at the hospital. "Our bones are all the same. So any of these could be any woman," she said
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/L. Bruno
Rape without consent
Only a handful of countries in Europe, including Germany and Belgium, define rape as sex without consent. Other countries often require proof of intimidation or violence. In Brussels, Belgium, red shoes were lined up on the ground to mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
Image: Reuters/F. Lenoir
Legal loopholes
Spain, Italy, Greece and France — among many other countries — do not legally define rape as sex without consent. Earlier this month, Spaniards took to the streets to protest a Barcelona court decision that sentenced five of six men accused of gang-raping a 14-year-old girl to 10 to 12 years in prison for sexually abusing the minor — but acquitted them of the more serious charge of rape.
Image: Reuters/S. Perez
'Walk of Silence'
In Malaga, Spain, protesters took part in a 'Caminata del Silencio' (Walk of silence) on November 25 to denounce femicide and sexual violence against women. Each placard contains the names of all women who were killed by their partners in Spain so far this year.
Image: picture-alliance/Zumapress/J. Merida
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Read more: Escaping domestic violence in Germany
Not enough space in shelters
Giffey on Monday said women affected by domestic violence should be entitled access to women's shelters. A main challenge, however, is that there are not enough spots available for those seeking refuge.
The minister announced that the government will spend €30 million ($33 million) each year over the next four years toward increasing the capacity of women's refuge shelters.
There are currently only 350 women's shelters in Germany.
Women in Toulouse, France, march against domestic violence and inequality to mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence against WomenImage: picture-alliance/NurPhoto/A. Pitton
Domestic violence a global issue
Countries around the world are commemorating International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Men and women took to the streets over the weekend in Europe, including Brussels and Paris, to protest against violence against women. Marches were also held in Istanbul.
In Italy, 142 women were killed through domestic violence, up 0.7% from the previous year, according to figures released Monday by Italian research institute Eures. Italy's national statistics agency Instat found that 538,000 women were the victims of physical or sexual abuse by their partners in the last five years.
'France's shame'
The French government on Monday unveiled its new measures to tackle domestic violence, including a pledge to seize firearms from abusive spouses, create 1,000 new women's shelters, and better train police. Also, the changes would make it easier for doctors to signal to authorities if a woman is at risk of domestic violence.
Teaching women self defense
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Announcing the initiative, French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe decried "collective silence about failures that we have, until today, not wanted to be aware of."
"This silence, or rather these forms of silence, kill," the politician said.
The package, worth millions of euros, aims to reduce the number of women killed by their partners. Goverment says at least 121 women and 28 men have been killed by their current or former partners this year. The country's rate of deadly violence against women is among Europe's highest, which President Emmanuel Macron has called "France's shame."
