A heated debate has erupted in Germany over comments by the head of a police association, who said in a TV interview that women “should not have a relationship with a man.”
Dirk Peglow, head of the Federal Association of German Detectives (BDK), made the comments on Monday while speaking about the latest crime statistics in Germany, which show high rates of violence against women.
Violent sexual crimes are on the rise
Peglow’s comments came as he was discussing the 8.5% increase in incidents of rape, sexual assault and sexual crimes of a particularly serious nature or resulting in death.
When asked by public broadcaster ZDF host Dunja Hayali what advice she had for women, Peglow replied: “It would be better not to get into a relationship with a man.”
“If you do, the risk of becoming a victim of psychological or physical violence is very high,” he said.
Peglow told ZDF that in 2024, “statistically at least two women per day will be victims of murder or attempted murder, and things look similar with sexual crimes as well.”
In an interview with Mass Circulation Picture In the daily Wednesday, Peglow reiterated his comments.
He said, “My statement was obviously an exaggeration. It was not meant as advice to be taken literally.” “Most men are not violent and are not criminals.”
Hayali reports threats of violence after Peglo interview
ZDF’s Hayali told the news magazine focus online Also in an interview published on Wednesday That both he and Peglow had received threats.
“There are now men who not only criticize the increase in violence against women, but express violent fantasies and threats of violence against my interview partner and me,” she said.
Crime statistics for 2025 have caused a media stir in Germany due to high rates of crimes by foreigners – a figure which experts say should be treated with caution.
Although reports of violent crime, including rape and sexual assault, increased, the number of criminal offenses recorded in Germany overall declined by 4.4%.
Edited by: Shawn Sinico