Germany’s Broken System Leaves Victims of Violence Re-Traumatized and Seeking Support
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A harrowing case in Lower Saxony highlights systemic failures in victim compensation, leaving a survivor of brutal domestic violence struggling to rebuild her life while battling bureaucratic hurdles.
As of November 25, 2025, the plight of Denise Carstens, a 40-year-old woman who survived a horrific attack by her ex-partner four years ago, exposes deep flaws in germany’s support system for victims of violent crime. Carstens’ struggle isn’t just with the lingering trauma of the assault, but with a frustrating and frequently enough impenetrable bureaucracy that has repeatedly denied her the financial assistance she desperately needs.
Carstens was ambushed by her former partner while walking to her car. He lay in wait,fueled by anger and alcohol,and subjected her to a brutal assault. “He kicked, choked and hit me,” she recounts, still visibly shaken by the memory. He then threatened her life, saying, “if I had a gun, I would shoot you now.” The attack shattered her sense of security, forcing her to move six times and live with constant fear and flashbacks. The perpetrator, an Albanian national without German residency, remains at large.
The Fight for Recognition
Despite being officially recognized as a victim of violent crime, Carstens has been locked in a battle with authorities since 2021 to receive financial support under the victim compensation Act. This support is crucial for covering medical treatments, professional rehabilitation, and, most importantly, achieving stability. The process has been stalled by conflicting expert assessments of her injuries – one estimating 20% damage, the other 50% – while benefits are onyl available to those with 30% or more.She has already spent
and family declined to comment on Carstens’ specific case. Though, a spokesperson for the Lower Saxony Ministry of social Affairs acknowledged the lengthy processing times, attributing them to difficulties in obtaining timely responses from witnesses and securing necessary medical documentation.The ministry stated it is indeed working to “optimize business processes” and is exploring ways to avoid requiring victims to repeatedly submit information to multiple authorities, though “some legal hurdles” remain.
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A Structural Problem
Recent data from the Federal Criminal police Office underscores the severity of the issue. In 2024,187,128 women in Germany were victims of domestic violence – a 3.5% increase from the previous year. Approximately 136,000 women and girls experienced intimate partner violence. Alarmingly, 56,478 suspects (37%) were non-German citizens, a disproportionate number given that non-german residents comprise only 14.5% of the population. Attempted femicides and sexual violence are also on the rise, with a woman killed almost every day in Germany as of gender-based violence. As violence escalates, victims like Denise Carstens face increasing obstacles in accessing the support they need.
“the Victims Become Victims Twice”
Carstens’ father witnesses his daughter’s struggle firsthand. “It’s shameful,” he says. “The victims become victims twice – once by the crime and then by the authorities.” He notes that his daughter’s case file now exceeds 400 pages. While friends and family provide support, the lack of official recognition prevents her from accessing the therapeutic help, professional rehabilitation, and stability she needs to rebuild her life. To this day, Carstens has not received a single phone call from authorities inquiring about her well-being or offering assistance.
Orange Day 2025
A postcard depicting a hand gesture used to signal distress is being distributed as part of the “Orange Day” campaign. Lower Saxony is participating in the initiative, with events planned in Hanover and Göttingen to raise awareness about violence against women. This year’s “Orange Day” commemorates the 308 women killed in Germany in 2024, most by current or former partners. Researchers in Lower Saxony have found that possessiveness and jealousy are common motives in femicides. A recent study highlights that men kill women almost every day, underscoring the urgent need to address this social problem.
