Violence on Berlin's streets is increasing: Charité sounds the alarm!

Violence on Berlin's streets is increasing: Charité sounds the alarm!

Reporting on violence on the streets of Berlin shows worrying developments. Loud rbb24 In the first half of 2024, a total of 298 victims of physical violence were registered in the Charité's violence protection clinic. Of these, 197 were women or girls and 100 men and boys. This suggests that women primarily suffer from physical violence. In all of 2024, 643 affected people were examined, which represents a slight increase compared to 605 cases in 2023.

The violence protection clinic documented a total of 749 inquiries by June 30, 2024, with a further notable increase in recent years. In addition to documenting injuries in 1,594 cases during this period, support in contacting doctors or the police was also highlighted in 372 cases.

A worrying trend

Forensic physician Larissa Amadasi said that these numbers only represent the “bright field” of the violence. Their observations indicate an increase in aggression in society. The importance of this development is reinforced by the fact that the number of violence protection clinic-related and canceled appointments has fallen significantly in recent years - from 154 in 2023 to 47 in the first half of 2025.

The violence protection clinic, which has existed since it was founded in 2014 and is financially supported by the justice administration, offers free forensic medical documentation of visible external injuries. This documentation is court-proof and can be used in future legal proceedings. Furthermore, the employees of the outpatient clinic are obliged to maintain confidentiality, which gives those affected more security. You don't have to decide immediately whether to file a report, and you can also archive the documentation to file later.

Increasing violent crime in Germany

In the context of these developments is the general situation of violent crime in Germany, which is loud Statista reveals serious problems. In 2024, around 217,000 violent crimes were registered, the highest number since 2007. These crimes account for less than 4% of all recorded crimes, but have a much greater impact on the population's sense of security than theft or fraud.

The Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) suspects that the increase in violent crime since 2021 is due, among other things, to the economic uncertainties and social pressures that have been exacerbated by the corona pandemic. Recent surveys show that 94% of Germans perceive violence and aggression, especially against public figures, as a major problem.

The violence protection clinic plays a crucial role in dealing with these challenges. It provides not only documentation but also training to raise awareness of domestic violence and child abuse. Last year, 1,600 people were trained, providing the population with important refresher skills to better support victims of violence.