Overview
- Lawmakers approved the Gewaltschutzgesetz reform Friday with support from the Union, SPD, Greens and AfD, while The Left abstained.
- Courts can now order electronic ankle monitors when an approach ban is in place, with a paired receiver that warns the victim and triggers a police alert if the offender comes too close.
- The monitoring can run for up to six months with possible three‑month extensions, and offenders must carry a mobile phone so authorities can reach them.
- The package also enables family courts to mandate anti‑violence training, raises penalties for breaching protection orders to up to three years in prison, and allows weapons‑register checks for risk analysis.
- Women’s groups and justice experts warn the tool fits only a small share of high‑risk cases and will work best with standard risk screening, staffed case management and new technical capacity, while the government points to Spain’s model and flags next bills on custody rules, digital abuse and psychosocial support.