Denmark to strengthen treatment for domestic violence to prevent partner killings

Denmark must expand treatment programs for victims and perpetrators of domestic violence to prevent partner killings, according to a new report by the National Centre for Social Research (Vive).

The study, which examined 61 partner killings investigated between 2017 and 2024, found that prevention requires early, coordinated action against intimate partner violence. More than half of the couples involved had children under 18 together.

Social Minister Monika Rubin called the report “tragic reading,” noting that many victims had prior contact with authorities. She emphasized the need for a long-term, cross-sector strategy spanning social services, gender equality, and justice.

Partner killings account for one in five homicides in Denmark, with women most often the victims. Relationship breakdowns or their aftermath frequently triggered the killings, the report states.