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Free Guide to Hiring a Family Lawyer
Browse our 1 legal question about Domestic Violence in Germany and the lawyer answers, or ask your own questions for free.
Domestic violence is taken very seriously under German law, and Butzbach as part of the state of Hesse follows these provisions strictly. Domestic violence includes physical, psychological, sexual, and economic abuse within intimate relationships or families. Both men and women-though predominantly women-can be victims or perpetrators. Legal protections apply to spouses, partners (including same-sex couples), children, and other household members. Butzbach, as a small city, typically cooperates closely with local police, courts, and social services to ensure protection against domestic violence and to help victims take the necessary legal steps to ensure their safety and rights.
A lawyer can be crucial in situations involving domestic violence for several reasons:
German law provides strong measures to combat domestic violence. The key legislation is the Protection Against Violence Act ("Gewaltschutzgesetz"), which allows victims to obtain restraining orders and mandates the removal of perpetrators from the shared home regardless of ownership or tenancy rights. Local police in Butzbach have the authority to immediately remove alleged offenders for up to 14 days, giving victims time to secure further court-ordered protection.
Additional relevant laws can include sections of the German Criminal Code (Strafgesetzbuch) concerning bodily injury, threats, coercion, stalking, and sexual offenses. In family court, domestic violence may influence decisions about parental custody, visitation rights, and spousal support. Victims also have access to emergency shelters and counseling via local support organizations.
Domestic violence includes physical attacks, threats, stalking, psychological abuse, sexual violence, and financial control between family or household members.
Call the police immediately if you are in danger. They can remove the perpetrator from your home. Visit your local courthouse or seek help from social services to file for a restraining order and get legal protection.
Yes. The police and courts can issue an order requiring the abuser to leave your home, regardless of who legally owns or rents it.
Yes. Physical violence, threats, and other abusive acts can be prosecuted as criminal offenses under German law.
Yes. Courts will consider instances or allegations of domestic violence when making custody and visitation decisions, always prioritizing the child’s best interests and safety.
Victims may be entitled to compensation or support under the Crime Victims Compensation Act ("Opferentschädigungsgesetz") if certain conditions are met.
Courts in urgent cases can issue a temporary restraining order within a few hours or days once a valid application is submitted.
Yes, there are local women’s shelters ("Frauenhäuser") and counseling centers in Butzbach and the Wetteraukreis district for urgent accommodation and support.
If you have limited financial means, you can apply for legal aid ("Beratungshilfe" or "Prozesskostenhilfe") to cover legal fees related to domestic violence matters.
You can contact local counseling centers, social workers, or domestic violence hotlines for confidential advice and assistance. They can help you plan your next steps safely.
If you or someone you know is affected by domestic violence in Butzbach, these resources can provide help and information:
If you need legal assistance with a domestic violence situation in Butzbach:
Navigating a domestic violence situation is challenging, but there are robust systems in place in Butzbach and throughout Germany to protect your rights and well-being.
