What does that mean?

A systematic cycle

Domestic violence encompasses not only intimate partner violence but also violence within the family. To focus specifically on intimate partner violence, we explicitly define this form of abuse. Intimate partner violence refers to any type of violence occurring between individuals in a romantic relationship. It can manifest in various forms, including physical, sexual, psychological, social, digital, and economic abuse. The primary goal of this violence is to exert control over the affected individual.

This is not an isolated incident but often part of a recurring cycle of violence that does not resolve on its own. It can have severe and long-lasting effects on the health and social well-being of those affected, particularly children who may witness the abuse. A significant proportion of intimate partner violence is directed at women and TIN* [2].

Historically ingrained patriarchal structures contribute to and perpetuate this violence, reinforcing the unequal power dynamics within relationships. In many cases, perpetrators of violence wrongly claim ownership over their partners, making the abuse more dangerous and, in the worst-case scenario, potentially leading to femicide.

A gender-based phenomenon¹

The Domestic Violence Situation Report 2023 (Germany) reveals that 79.2% of individuals affected by intimate partner violence were women. In 77.6% of reported cases of domestic violence, the abuser was the male partner [3,4,5]. 

Those who experience multiple forms of discrimination and intersecting systems of oppression are particularly vulnerable to intimate partner violence. Social marginalization often results in these individuals being structurally excluded from access to protection and support, or facing significant barriers to obtaining help. This includes, but is not limited to, discrimination based on race, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, and socioeconomic status [6,7].

Who are we addressing?

Gender is fluid, and there are more than just binary categories. Our app is designed for individuals affected by gender-based violence, including all women and TIN* people [8]. We use this terminology to emphasize that people outside of the binary gender categories of "cis man" and "cis woman" [9] can also be affected by gender-based intimate partner violence, often in particularly severe ways.

Our approach aims to clearly define our target audience without making invisible the diverse forms of discrimination, experiences of violence, and intersecting factors within these groups. What unites our target audience is that the violence they experience is gender-based, as they are subjected to patriarchal oppression in different ways and to varying extents."

Couple
When does love turn into violence?

Gender-based intimate partner violence is often a gradual and escalating process that typically begins in everyday situations. Over time, it can intensify, and, tragically, many cases end in femicide.

Such relationships tend to follow a repeating cycle of phases. Abusers frequently employ deliberate strategies to assert control, such as isolating the partner from their support network. This isolation erodes the individual's sense of self and can lead them to believe that escape from the situation is impossible.

Early warning signs are often subtle, difficult to recognize, and, unfortunately, are frequently dismissed. It's important to understand that violence is not limited to physical acts. Control and isolation tactics are also forms of abuse and should be recognized and addressed as such. In some cases femicide can be the first incident of physical violence. Every form of violence is dangerous!

155 femicides in 2023⁵

Femicides are the killings of "one or more women by one or more men because they are women." (10). According to police crime statistics, there were 155 femicides in Germany in 2023 alone. This means that a woman was killed by her (ex-)partner every 2.4 days - there is an attempted femicide every day. These are not isolated cases and they need to be adressed as a structural problem. Femicides are the most serious expression of patriarchal and gender-based violence: "Overall, it is clear that the cross-societal phenomenon is a symptom of persisting patriarchal patterns of thought and structures" (11).

It affects us all

Even if preconceptions say otherwise, gender-based intimate partner violence exists in all social groups. It affects people regardless of their financial situation, background or education, income or age [12]. One in three women in Europe is affected by this kind of violence in the course of her life [13]. The figures are not declining, they have actually been rising for years.

Violence always has to do with power and control. Patriarchal ideas shape social structures that are leading to unequal treatment and violence. The environment of those affected and the society as a whole often do not intervene or even help to perpetuate the violence because of myths surrounding the topic. As a result, those affected often seek help late or not at all out of fear.

Blogposts

  •
    08.03.2025 | Estimated reading time: ~ 5 minutes Our 8 demands for March 8, 2025
    We wish you a joyful and solidarity-filled Feminist Resistance Day 2025!In the GfZ team, we have compiled demands to politics and society that we raise not only today but every day, calling for the protection of those affected and the prevention of gender-based violence in intimate relationships to finally be given the proper attention. There is much we stand for and much we oppose together – also on the remaining 364 days of the year.
    Read more
  • 27.01.2025 | Estimated reading time: ~ 10 minutes "Solidarity can be great fun!" - Event report: "Female Futures: Intimate Partner Violence"
    What feminist challenges will we still be facing in 2025? And how can it be that the figures for intimate partner violence are continually rising, even though we are supposedly living together as equals? Nina Ritter, Program Manager at the Körber Foundation, opened the panel discussion on IPV with these questions. Female Futures is the name of the Körber Foundation's series of events, which will highlight feminist challenges over three evenings and also includes this discussion on partner violence.
    Read more
  • 21.11.2024 | Estimated reading time: ~ 23 minutes Stop femi(ni)cides!
    Femi(ni)cides are not isolated incidents. Time and again, we see reports of feminized individuals, cis women, and trans* women being murdered by their (ex-)partners or cis men from their close circles. This is unacceptable! On the occasion of November 25th, we aim to raise awareness about the most extreme form of violence against women, lesbians, intersex, non-binary, trans, and agender individuals. Not only on November 25th but every single day, we demand: STOP FEMI(NI)CIDES!
    Read more
  • © LesMigraS
    07.08.2024 | Estimated reading time: ~ 8 minutes LesMigraS: Insights into the work of the counseling center
    Since June, demonstrations have been taking place to mark Christopher Street Day. This year, some of the events came under massive threat from right-wing extremists. What's causing this violence or at least is making it possible is the marginalization of the LGBTQIA+ community. For our work, we once again are reminded to constantly consider queer realities of life. That is why we'd like to create space for LesMigraS, which offers LGBTQIA+ and BIPoC counseling in the field of anti-violence a.o. 
    Read more
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[1] We are guided, among other things, by the definition of gender-based and intimate partner violence from UN Women Germany: "Forms of violence against women and girls".

[2] We would also like to refer here to the "Definition of gender-based violence of the Istanbul Convention Alliance"(2023).

[3] BKA (2022): Partner violence - Crime statistics evaluation

[4] BKA (2022/2023): Bundeslagebild Häusliche Gewalt

[5] BKA (2023): Polizeiliche Kriminalstatistik

[6] LesMigras (2012): "...nicht so greifbar und doch real". A quantitative and qualitative study on violence and (multiple) discrimination experiences of lesbian, bisexual and trans* women in Germany.

[7] BMFSFJ (2013): Life situation and burden of women with disabilities and impairments in Germany.

[8] "TIN* is an abbreviation for trans*, inter* and non-binary people. As an umbrella term it includes all people who do not adhere to the binary gender order. TIN* subsumes a broad spectrum of gender identities and gender expressions, but what they have in common is their marginalisation in our [cis-] and heteronormative society." (University of Bielefeld, 2024).

[9] "Cis men or cis women identify with the gender they were assigned at birth. The opposite of cis is trans*." (Inclusive language, glossary by Rowohlt Verlag in cooperation with the Bundesverband Trans*).

[10] Russell, Diana E. H., and Harmes, Roberta. (eds.) 2001. Femicide in Global Perspective. New York: Teachers College Press.

[11] Leuschner, F., & Rausch, E. (2022). Femicide - An inventory from a criminological perspective. Criminology - The Online Journal | Criminology - The Online Journal, 4(1), 20-37.

[12] Müller, U., & Schröttle, M. (2004): Life situation, safety and health of women in Germany. A representative study on violence against women in Germany. Commissioned by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth.

[13] FRA - European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (2014): Violence against women: an EU-wide survey. Results at a glance. European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights.