Femicides in Saarland: alarming increase and new detection methods

Von WOM

In Saarland, an alarming increase of femalitis has been recorded. In 2023, a total of seven women were murdered, exclusively because of their gender. This has been the highest level of this type of violence for a decade. In addition, there were two attempted homicides that also fall into this context. Often it is partners or ex-partners who use such cruel deeds, especially after a separation.

The need to clearly name these horrendous acts and not dismiss them as a "relationship tragedy" was emphasized by Julia Sapelkina, head of the women's emergency call Saar. She emphasizes that a clear awareness of the problem must be created. For this reason, it is crucial that in the future there will be an improved recording of female in Saarland. Here, a nationwide uniform definition that was decided at the last interior ministerial conference is based.

new procedures for the risk assessment

In addition to these measures, innovative methods are also being worked on in order to identify and prevent potential femica at an early stage. The Neunkirchen police inspection tests a procedure that makes it possible to better assess the risk of a homicide. If a woman affects such a situation, the police help her use a questionnaire to decide whether immediate measures are required.

The women's emergency call Saar demands this approach for a nationwide application. So far, however, the test is still in the evaluation phase for the Saarland police, which means that concrete successes have not yet been made public. Such a procedure could offer women who are in dangerous relationships, and help them to get out of these desperate situations in good time.

What are female?

femicide denotes the killing of women, whereby the victim's gender plays a crucial role. This includes murders, homicide and assault, which end with death. The attempted murder of a woman is also considered female. The majority of these crimes are done in (ex) partnerships, often out of a feeling of possession. Unfortunately, misogyny and patriarchal ways of thinking also play a major role when it comes to why increasingly female is committed.

These serious developments require urgent action on the part of society to protect women and to raise awareness of powerful forms of violence. What the Saarland needs are sustainable concepts and the cooperation of all relevant actors to stop this worrying trend.

For interested readers there is more information on this topic in a detailed piece .