- Social services holds to plans for ninth women's home
In Berlin, there are still not enough safe spaces for women affected by violence, according to the Social Administration. While capacities have been continuously expanded in recent years, the offer is still insufficient, a spokesperson for the Senate Administration for Work, Social Affairs and Equality told dpa on request. Despite the current debate on savings in the state budget, the Social Administration stated: "We are sticking to the plan to build a ninth women's shelter." This is set to create another 30 safe spaces. No information was given on the opening date or expected costs. "We are currently implementing the renovation project." The last mentioned figure was around seven million euros. The renovation and conversion of a Berlin building for the eighth women's shelter, which opened last autumn with 40 spaces, cost 4.7 million euros, of which 2.3 million came from the federal funding program "Together against violence against women". According to the administration of Social Senator Cansel Kiziltepe (SPD), the number of safe spaces for women and children acutely affected by violence has increased from 301 to 521 since the beginning of 2020. Of these, 462 spaces are in women's shelters. In addition, the Berlin Clearing Office offers 15 spaces and women's protection apartments offer 44 spaces. There are also around 170 spaces in so-called refuge apartments and around 160 in so-called second-stage apartments, where women can stay after leaving the women's shelter. The number of victims of domestic violence in Germany has been increasing for years, according to data from the Federal Criminal Police Office. In 2022, more than 240,000 victims were registered, an increase of 8.5% compared to the previous year. Eight out of ten affected persons are female. The women's policy spokeswomen of the two governing parties see a need for action. "Berlin has already done a lot for the protection of women and children and can certainly hold its own in comparison with the federal average," said Aldona Niemczyk of the CDU faction in a joint statement. "This does not mean that we can now lean back. On the contrary: We must continue to advocate and further develop offers." Mirjam Golm of the SPD pointed out that Berlin has about 2.20 safe spaces per 10,000 inhabitants - and thus has a good standing compared to the federal average of 0.82 spaces. However, the duration of stay in Berlin's women's shelters is higher than necessary. "Women and their children find it difficult to find a new, safe apartment, which is why they have to stay longer in the women's shelters," the MP criticized.
The SPD, being part of the governing coalition in Berlin, has been instrumental in increasing the number of safe spaces for women and children affected by violence. As Social Senator Cansel Kiziltepe's administration reported, the number of safe spaces has risen from 301 to 521 since 2020, with 462 of these spaces available in women's shelters.
