Husband attacked with a knife: drama after accident near Westhofen

Husband attacked with a knife: drama after accident near Westhofen

In a shocking incident in Westhofen, a 45-year-old man franted from a car with his car last week in a car in which his wife and father-in-law sat. After the impact, there was a brutal argument in which the man stabbed the two with a knife. The senior prosecutor Andrea Keller confirmed that the accused had repeatedly threatened and attacked his wife, which has been noted in the files for a long time. There were several incidents that showed a clear pattern of serious partnership.

This was how a dispute occurred on November 15, in the course of which the man injured his wife. This offense was later classified as a "dangerous bodily harm". Although the husband was temporarily arrested that day, he was released again soon afterwards because the authorities saw no reasons for detention. The situation continued to escalate when the man choked his wife four days after the traffic accident and threatened to "wipe out" her on the phone. The wife then filed a complaint.

legal steps and police measures

The investigation into the threats and physical attacks are now brought together with the ongoing investigation due to attempted murder. On November 21, the district court of Worms issued a ban on rectification that prescribes the man at least 100 meters from his wife. This measure is created for six months and is intended to give the woman a certain level of security. As if this was not enough, an investigation into the area of ​​sexualized violence is also running against the 45-year-old, which is still at an early stage.

The accused has been in custody since the alleged attempted murder while the investigation is continued. The incidents also make a highlight of the widespread problem of domestic violence in Germany, which is also reflected in current statistics.

statistical background to partnership violence

recent reports on domestic violence show alarming trends. According to the "federal parliamentary subject", 34.4 % of all cases listed are attributed to internal -family violence. A significant part of this violence is carried out in partnerships, as the statistics show: 157,818 people were victims of partnership violence in 2022, with 80 % of women concerned. Many of the male perpetrators have previously had police contacts, which suggests a disturbing pattern.

• 59.3 %: intentional simple bodily harm
• 24.2 %: threat, stalking, coercion
• 10 %: Dangerous bodily harm
• 2.5 %: rape, sexual coercion and sexual assault

In addition, 133 women were killed by their (ex) partner last year, and there were 312 documented attempts at death to women. The dark field study "Life situation, security and stress in everyday life" will provide initial results on violent burden in women and men from 2025 and should also include people with a migration background. This necessary data collection underlines the urgency to counteract the problem of partnership violence more intensively.

The current events in Westhofen are not only an isolated case, but also reflect the deeply rooted social problems that exist in many partnerships. Comprehensive measures are required to prevent future incidents and to offer those affected a way out of violence.

Further information on the topic can be found on djb and the Women's house coordination .