Overview

• Family Minister Lisa Paus has called for closing legal loopholes that allow the possession of explicit violence videos involving adult victims to remain unpunished in Germany.
• Paus criticized online platforms like Telegram for hosting content that depicts violence against drugged and defenseless women, describing it as a manifestation of deep-seated misogyny and patriarchal attitudes.
• The minister referenced the recent high-profile Avignon case, where Dominique Pelicot and 50 co-defendants were convicted for years of abuse, facilitated via online platforms.
• A proposed law to regulate substances like K.-o.-Tropfen (date-rape drugs) and nitrous oxide was under development but stalled due to the collapse of Germany's coalition government in November.
• Paus emphasized the importance of reporting violence and urged both women and men to take action, highlighting resources like the 'Violence Against Women' helpline.