Dramatic surge in female assaults prompts Bremen to act
In a concerning development, the number of female victims of domestic and sexual violence in Bremen has seen a significant increase in recent years. According to official data, there was a 36% rise in partnership violence cases in 2023, with 2,611 cases recorded, and a 6.2% increase in sexual crimes, affecting 52,330 women and girls.
The issue of violence against women, including severe forms such as burn-related violence, has garnered increased attention in Germany. A study analysing data from the German Burn Registry (2015-2023) has highlighted burn injuries caused by violence as a critical and underaddressed problem, posing serious physical, psychological, and societal challenges.
In response to this growing concern, Bremen is taking action. The state is actively supporting initiatives aligned with the federal Violence Assistance Act, which aims to protect victims of domestic and gender-based violence by providing legal protections and support services.
One of the key initiatives in Bremen is led by housing company Brebau, which aims to sensitize many people in their living environment to the topic and draw attention to assistance offers. Brebau CEO Bernd Botzenhardt emphasised that participating in the initiative signifies taking a stand against violence against women and taking responsibility.
Bremen's State Women's Representative, Bettina Wilhelm, has launched an initiative to increase the visibility of counseling and support services for victims of violence against women and girls in Bremen and Bremerhaven. The online portal www.gewaltgegenfrauen.bremen.de provides organized contacts to support and counseling offers in the cities of Bremen and Bremerhaven, categorizing information and contacts according to different types of violence and target groups.
Senator Claudia Bernhard, responsible for Women's Affairs in Bremen, has appealed to Members of the German Parliament to quickly pass the proposed Violence Assistance Act. In January 2025, Senator Bernhard will organise a training session for staff of counseling centres in Bremen to better protect women from hate messages online and digital violence.
Bremen's efforts are not limited to its borders. The city is participating in national and European efforts addressing violence against women, including campaigns during major events like Women's Euro 2025, which emphasise zero tolerance for sexual violence and discrimination.
However, the issue is complex, with societal challenges including controversies around the portrayal and prevention of sexual harassment, as well as the integration of migrants and their impact on public safety perceptions. Bremen's initiatives likely incorporate multicultural sensitivity and aim to balance community safety with integration policies.
In summary, Bremen, as part of Germany, is engaged in ongoing efforts to implement and support the Violence Assistance Act and related initiatives to combat and reduce violence against women, addressing both prevention and victim support in a complex social environment marked by recent increases in certain types of violence and public awareness campaigns.
[1] German Burn Registry (2015-2023) Study [2] Swimming Pool Incidents Report, 2023 [3] Women's Euro 2025 Campaign, 2025
- The German Burn Registry (2015-2023) study has brought light to burn injuries caused by violence, highlighting it as a critical yet underaddressed problem in the field of science.
- In the realm of health-and-wellness, women's health, and policy-and-legislation, Bremen is tackling the issue of increasing domestic and sexual violence through initiatives that provide legal protections, support services, and public awareness.
- Crimes related to burn injuries, partnership violence, and sexual crimes have become a general-news concern in Bremen, prompting discussions about societal challenges and integration policies in the context of crime-and-justice.
- Bremen continues to act on a national and international stage, collaborating with other cities and countries to support campaigns against violence against women, as shown in their participation in the Women's Euro 2025 Campaign – a visible step towards a zero-tolerance policy on sexual violence and discrimination.
