Patriarchal structures: Why violence against women is growing in Germany

Patriarchal structures: Why violence against women is growing in Germany

There is a big problem in Germany that is in the dark and urgently needs to be brought to light. Carolin Weyand, specialist lawyer in criminal law and board member of UN Women Germany, draws clear attention to the fact that patriarchal structures in German sexual criminal law undermine the equality of women and men. At first glance, the equality enshrined in the Basic Law may seem like a small ray of hope, but the reality in practice is often very different. So reports az-online that this inequality can be seen in various areas: from the gender pay gap to the gender care gap to one-sided appointments to management levels.

If you ask yourself where the roots of violence against women and girls come from, a clear connection becomes apparent. According to Weyand, the lack of equality is directly linked to this. Although German sexual criminal law has been reformed in recent years, it is still far from perfect. More than just cosmetic changes are needed.

Reforms in sexual criminal law

The last comprehensive reform took place in 2016, although crucial points such as the offense of rape remain problematic. This requires the victim's clearly conflicting will - a requirement that some victims often find inadequate. This becomes particularly critical because studies show that many women react passively in violent situations, which is often interpreted negatively in criminal law.

One of Weyand's demands is the introduction of the “only a yes is a yes” rule. With this regulation, responsibility should clearly lie with the perpetrator. In connection with this topic, verbal or non-verbal sexual harassment, known as catcalling, is also cited as a major weak point in existing sexual criminal law. Currently, the offense of sexual harassment only covers physical touching, which does not adequately reflect the seriousness of the problem.

The pressure on politicians is growing because the SPD parliamentary group is already committed to punishing catcalling. The Federal Minister of Justice plans to examine this issue in more detail. Critics of the initiative express concerns about the verifiability of such acts. Weyand, on the other hand, sees a lack of opportunity to provide evidence in many other sexual crimes, which is why this should not be considered a reason for abolishing the regulations.

Steps in the right direction

The government has already introduced a number of measures, including the introduction of electronic ankle bracelets and the toughening of stalking offences. But Weyand believes that these steps are not enough. She calls for a comprehensive concept to combat violence against women, which must also include greater promotion of equality in various areas of society.

Political commitment is essential and Weyand emphasizes the need to create clear guidelines to promote equality. The mobilization of younger generations gives legitimate cause for optimism. Perhaps it is this young, dynamic movement that can bring about noticeable changes in the coming years.

It remains to be seen how the political landscape will develop and which reforms will actually be implemented. One thing is clear, however: there is something going on and the voices must be heard.