Overview

• North Rhine-Westphalia will introduce a bill to the Bundesrat on May 23, 2025, proposing preventive detention for high-risk repeat domestic violence offenders.
• The draft law includes harsher penalties for violating protection orders, earlier police intervention, and improved access to counseling and legal support for survivors.
• The proposed 'Deeskalationshaft' aims to detain offenders preemptively during high-risk situations, addressing gaps in current protective measures.
• A report highlights alarming statistics: in Germany, a woman or girl experiences physical violence every two minutes, with two to three femicides occurring daily.
• Judges would determine the duration of detention based on the offender's risk level, with therapeutic interventions encouraged but not mandatory.