Women regularly lose their lives in North Rhine-Westphalia due to being female.

In North Rhine-Westphalia, a comprehensive approach is being taken to combat domestic violence, a societal issue that has recently garnered significant attention.

The State Criminal Police Office has conducted a study on killings of women in the region, based on Police Criminal Statistics from 2014 to 2023. The study reveals that between 2014 and 2023, 1,666 attempted and completed fatal attacks on women were recorded, resulting in the deaths of 908 women.

The study distinguishes between femicide, possible femicide, and no femicide. Of these cases, 522 were classified as femicides, including 235 completed killings. A troubling finding is that 99% of the perpetrators were men.

Politicians have expressed concern about the high number of femicides, with Interior Minister Herbert Reul stating that domestic violence is a societal problem. In response, the new Domestic Violence Assistance Act grants women a legal right to protection and assistance for the first time. Along with the Violence Protection Act, this legislation regulates the police's approach to domestic violence, including special risk assessments, conversations with perpetrators and victims, and protection measures.

More research into violence and murder crimes against women is necessary to better identify risk factors. The project is conducted voluntarily, and support is welcome.

To support women affected by violence, the Land NRW initiates various measures. Several organisations, such as women's houses and counseling centres, are state-funded and work towards prevention and support within the framework of the Actions Plan "Together against Violence". In North Rhine-Westphalia, there are 62 general women's counseling centres, 57 specialized counseling centres against sexualized violence, and 70 women's houses.

The police in North Rhine-Westphalia already clarifies domestic violence in schools and in public, and works closely with women's houses, youth offices, and other institutions. Psychosocial process accompaniment should be expanded to make access to justice fairer for victims of domestic violence.

The final report of the study is available online at lka.polizei.nrw/artikel/weitere-forschungsprojekte-der-kkf. Society must be more sensitized to view violence against women as a societal problem, not a private one. Modern gender roles should be addressed in kindergartens and schools to prevent domestic violence. It is crucial that we continue to work towards creating a safer environment for all women in North Rhine-Westphalia and beyond.