“Violence against women is not a fringe phenomenon,” said Cansel Kiziltepe (SPD), Berlin’s Senator for Social Affairs. Domestic violence is a major problem in Berlin, with official figures pointing to over 13,000 victims having been abused by their partners in 2025. The real number is likely much higher than that, as many people do not report abuse to the authorities. 8,652 of these were offenses against sexual self-determination and almost 1,400 were categorised as rape.
The State of Berlin is intent on combating these dreadful statistics; for this reason, two new women’s shelters will be opened this summer to complement the nine already existing. These will add 27 family spaces with 70 beds for women and children. At present, Berlin has 430 spaces with 945 beds, double the amount there was in 2020.
Government spending on combating domestic violence is also expected to increase from €45 million this year to €53.5 million in 2027. In addition to the shelters (the addresses of which are not being publicly released in order to protect victims), this sum will also go towards mobile counselling centres which can provide on-site support for women, especially in Berlin’s outer districts.
