Berlin, February 20 – Berlin has expanded its network of support for victims of domestic violence with the opening of a new women’s and children’s shelter. The facility, costing approximately 2.5 million Euros, is located in the south of the capital and provides 26 family places across ten apartments. Since mid-January, 18 women and 13 children have already found refuge there, as announced by the Senate Department for Social Affairs.
Comprehensive Support for Residents
The new shelter offers extensive psychosocial counseling provided by social workers, alongside a dedicated psychologist. Additionally, two educators provide pedagogical support for the children residing in the facility. To ensure the safety of the occupants, the address of the shelter remains confidential. Its operator is a member of the Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband Berlin.
With the inauguration of this new facility, Berlin now boasts 393 family places with 859 beds for women affected by violence and their children. Cansel Kiziltepe, Senator for Social Affairs and Equality, emphasized at the official opening that the new house creates another safe living space for women and children. “Children typically make up more than half of the residents in these shelters,” stated the SPD politician, highlighting the facility’s focus on mothers with their children. The new Violence Protection Act ensures their independent right to protection and counseling.
Meeting Istanbul Convention Requirements
“With the ninth women’s shelter, Berlin is moving closer to the full implementation of the Istanbul Convention,” Kiziltepe declared. The convention mandates that Berlin must provide a total of 390 free family places for affected women. Currently, the capital has 239 such family places, with additional places expected to be created later this year, according to the Senate Department for Social Affairs.
Furthermore, women and their children can also be accommodated in so-called emergency apartments, which offer an additional 154 family places. However, in these cases, residents must either self-finance the rent or provide proof of cost coverage.
Significant Funding for Violence Protection
For the current year, the social administration has allocated approximately 37.5 million Euros for violence protection, including federal funds, with an increase to 43.1 million Euros planned for next year. The Berlin House of Representatives has also provided around 19.3 million Euros for the creation and operation of new places for the years 2026 and 2027.
The Istanbul Convention, established in 2011, aims to prevent and combat violence against women and domestic violence. Signatory states commit to implementing political and legal measures to combat gender-based violence. The treaty came into force in August 2014 and has been applicable in Germany since February 2018.
Rising Numbers of Domestic Violence Victims
According to figures from the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), over 187,000 female victims of domestic violence were registered nationwide in 2024. Experts believe the actual number is higher due to underreporting. In total, 265,942 individuals were affected by domestic violence, an unprecedented number. This represents a 3.7 percent increase compared to the previous year, meaning statistically, a person became a victim approximately every two minutes. In 2023, 70.5 percent of the victims were female.
