State parliament debates violence against women

The Saxon state parliament agrees on the protection of women from violence. Existing structures should be expanded and prevention improved, demanded representatives of all parliamentary groups during a debate in the state parliament. The new Justice Minister Constanze Geiert (CDU) also took the floor for the first time - just a few hours after being sworn in to the state parliament.

Minister: protection from domestic violence is a high priority

The protection of women and girls from gender-based violence, as well as the protection of boys and men from domestic violence, is a high priority for the government, said Geiert. The state has a duty. The Minister referred to nationwide figures. According to these, there were 256,276 victims of domestic violence in the previous year - 70.5 percent of them girls and women. In Saxony, there were 10,546 cases with 71.2 percent female victims.

According to Geiert, Saxony has made important progress. For example, the protection against violence has been expanded and funding has tripled to more than 12 million euros per year. In addition, a state action plan with 200 measures was adopted in June of this year. "We will continue to take a clear stance against violence against women and girls. I think we all agree on that."

Ex-Minister: 16 women have paid for attacks with their lives

The first speaker was Geiert's predecessor in the ministerial office, Katja Meier (Greens). The improvements in the protection against violence in recent years can be traced back to her commitment. She noted a considerable increase in domestic violence in 2023 compared to the previous year. "Two thirds of these were assaults. 16 women paid for these attacks with their lives."

Following the recommendations of the Istanbul Convention, more than 400 family places would be needed in Saxony. "We have had an enormous increase in the past five years and yet we still need 200 more family places," said the former minister. What is needed is a legal right to protection: "Protection against violence is not a nice-to-have - in a democracy, it is a key task."

According to SPD MP Sophie Koch, it should not actually be "protect women, but educate men". Last but not least, more prevention is needed. Martina Jost from the AfD also placed the topic in the context of the migration of men from the Arab world.