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Survivors: Timeline to punish rape in Germany is too short

June 6, 2026

A sexual assault case has once again brought Germany’s statute of limitations for rape into the public debate. Author Claudia Wuttke's case is being compared to that of Gisele Pelicot in France.

https://p.dw.com/p/5Eobu

It wasn't until 2025 that author Claudia Wuttke learned of 67 videos recorded from 2006 and 2021 that reportedly document her then partner drugging and raping her. Wuttke's case is widely being compared to that of Gisele Pelicot in France, but there is one striking difference.

In Germany, the statute of limitations for severe sexual coercion is 20 years. The offenses Wuttke has reported, however, expire after five years, because under current legislation they are classified as less serious as they do not involve "aggravating factors" such as a weapon, resulting in the dismissal of most of the charges. 

Germany's justice minister is planning to discuss changes to legislation that was last overhauled in 2016.