Legal expert pushes for mandatory sexual criminal law training in Germany

A shocking gap in legal training leaves future judges unprepared for sexual violence cases. Will Germany finally reform its law curriculum?

, and Administrator

2026 March 31 . 6:17 PM

1 min read

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Legal expert pushes for mandatory sexual criminal law training in Germany

Carmen Wegge, a legal expert from the SPD, has urged for sexual criminal law to become a compulsory part of law studies. She argues that the current lack of training leaves future lawyers and judges poorly prepared to handle cases of sexualised violence. Her call comes ahead of the next Conference of Justice Ministers, where she hopes the issue will be discussed in detail. Wegge highlighted a major gap in legal education, noting that sexual criminal law is not included in the standard curriculum. This omission, she warned, leads to misunderstandings about the dynamics of sexualised violence. Without proper training, professionals in courts, law enforcement, and defence may struggle to apply the law effectively.

She proposed that the Istanbul Convention—a key international treaty on preventing violence against women—should be mandatory reading by the time students take their second state examination. Wegge believes this change would improve victim protection and lead to fairer judicial decisions. At present, no clear data exists on how many German federal states have already introduced mandatory courses on sexual criminal law. Wegge stressed the need for a unified approach to ensure all law graduates receive the same essential training.

The SPD legal expert's proposal aims to close a critical gap in legal education. If adopted, the reform would ensure future lawyers and judges are better equipped to handle cases involving sexual violence. The next Conference of Justice Ministers will determine whether the issue gains wider support.