Germany Introduces Nationwide Legal Right to Protection for Women Affected by Violence

Strategic Insights -

Germany has enacted the Violence Assistance Act, a nationwide law that grants women and their children protection and counseling in cases of violence. The law, effective since the beginning of 2025, is based on the Istanbul Convention, a Council of Europe treaty aimed at preventing and combating violence against women and girls. To raise awareness about the content and objectives of these regulations, a symposium is being held on November 7, 2025, at the Weissenfels Town Hall. The event will feature presentations by Dr. Marie-Luise Loffler, Gender-Based Violence Officer, and a video message from Minister Petra Grimm-Benne. The LIKO, a state-level organization, will also provide insights into the implementation status of the Istanbul Convention in Saxony-Anhalt.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Violence Assistance Act, enacted in 2025, provides a nationwide legal right to protection and counseling for women and their children affected by violence.
  • The law is based on the Istanbul Convention, a Council of Europe treaty aimed at preventing and combating violence against women and girls.
  • The symposium will introduce participants to the content and objectives of the Istanbul Convention and the Violence Assistance Act.
  • Dr. Marie-Luise Loffler, Gender-Based Violence Officer, will present on the regulations and their implementation.
  • The LIKO will provide insights into the state-level implementation of the Istanbul Convention in Saxony-Anhalt.
  • Minister Petra Grimm-Benne will address the symposium participants with a video message.

Statistics:

  • The Violence Assistance Act has been in effect since the beginning of 2025.
  • The Istanbul Convention has been in place since 2014.
  • The symposium will take place on November 7, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • Registration is possible online at https://eveeno.com/143005000.

Sources:

  • Weissenfels: Weissenfels, Germany news release, November 7, 2025
  • Istanbul Convention: Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and girls
  • LIKO: State Coordination Office of Civil Society Actors for the Implementation of the Istanbul Convention