Brandenburg Prosecutors Cite Evidence Gaps in Domestic Violence Cases

Brandenburg's General Prosecutor's Office has identified evidentiary problems as the primary obstacle in domestic violence cases, with the vast majority of proceedings closed without consequences for suspects. A spokesperson for the authority stated that law enforcement agencies frequently encounter significant difficulties gathering sufficient evidence to sustain charges. The findings were reported on March 14, 2026, drawing attention to a persistent pattern in how domestic violence cases are handled across the state. The authority's assessment points to two recurring factors: inconsistent evidence and victims withdrawing their cooperation after filing an initial report.

Since 2021, Brandenburg has recorded between 2,500 and 3,000 domestic violence proceedings annually, according to B.Z. and Die Welt. Despite the steady volume of cases, most are dismissed without legal consequences for the individuals under investigation. The authority's spokesperson described the evidentiary challenges as occurring in a "not insignificant" number of cases, according to B.Z. The office declined to speculate on the reasons behind victims' reluctance to continue supporting investigations after the initial report was filed.

Domestic violence prosecution in Germany relies heavily on victim testimony, which creates structural vulnerabilities when complainants withdraw their cooperation. German criminal procedure generally does not allow prosecutors to compel victims to testify against partners or family members in the same way as in other types of criminal cases, which can leave investigators without sufficient evidence to proceed. Brandenburg is one of Germany's eastern federal states, where prosecutorial resources and case volumes have drawn recurring scrutiny from legal observers.

The authority's public acknowledgment of these systemic difficulties reflects broader challenges faced by prosecutors across Germany in securing convictions in domestic violence cases. Victims' reluctance to sustain complaints is a recognized phenomenon in such proceedings, often linked to ongoing dependency relationships, fear of retaliation, or hope for reconciliation — though the Brandenburg office explicitly declined to offer explanations for this pattern in individual cases. The office's statements stop short of proposing specific remedies or legislative changes. Margarete Koppers, who has served as General Prosecutor of Berlin since 2018, was not cited in connection with these findings, which relate specifically to the Brandenburg authority rather than the Berlin prosecution service.