In a significant legal shift, Germany has announced it will treat the use of date rape drugs as equivalent to the use of a weapon during criminal prosecutions. The move is part of a broader government initiative to deliver justice for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Stricter Prosecutions for Perpetrators
Alexander Dobrindt, Germany's Interior Minister, stated that classifying these drugs as weapons creates the foundation for "significantly stricter prosecutions." He emphasised the government's commitment to ensuring women can feel safe and move freely without fear.
The announcement was made at a press conference attended by the Minister for Women, Karin Prien, and the head of the federal criminal police office, Holger Münch. The officials presented alarming new data, revealing that nearly 54,000 women and girls were victims of sexual offences in Germany in 2024. This figure marks a 2.1% increase from the previous year, with nearly 36% of these cases involving rape or sexual assault.
Rising Crime Statistics and Support Measures
Police registered a record high of almost 266,000 domestic violence victims last year, a 3.8% rise. Holger Münch cautioned that these numbers are likely an undercount due to a high number of unreported cases. He urged for more victims to come forward to improve protection and support services.
Although there is no uniform federal definition for femicide, official records show nearly 1,200 women and girls were victims of homicide or attempted homicide in 2024, showing a slight decrease from the year before.
Alongside the new classification for date rape drugs, the German government approved a draft law this week permitting the use of electronic ankle monitors to track domestic violence perpetrators. Victims can also request a separate warning device that alerts them if the perpetrator is nearby.
Furthermore, funding has been secured for the national rollout of a mobile application that allows domestic abuse victims to secretly document incidents of abuse for use as evidence in court.
A parliamentary debate on a bill proposing a mandatory minimum five-year prison sentence for using date rape drugs in sexual assaults was postponed last month.
