"Dead women are not a punchline" Dieter Nuhr triggers shitstorm after joke about femicides
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German comedian Dieter Nuhr is facing intense backlash after comments about femicides during his comedy show sparked outrage online. Critics accuse him of trivializing violence against women and making light of a deadly social issue.
The controversy began after a clip from *Nuhr im Ersten XXL* (Nuhr on Channel One XXL) aired on June 18. During the performance, Nuhr referenced the annual number of femicides in Germany and said the likelihood of encountering such violence in a relationship was “practically zero,” before joking that women should get to know their partners better before having sex.
The remarks quickly spread across social media, triggering fierce criticism. Many viewers argued that the joke shifted responsibility toward victims, suggesting women could avoid abuse simply by making better choices in partners.
Influencer Josephine Schreiber, known for speaking on feminist issues, strongly condemned the comments. Sharing her personal experience, she explained that her former partner initially appeared kind and respectful, but later became violent, eventually leaving her hospitalized with a broken nose. She stressed that abusive behavior is often hidden at the start of a relationship.
Schreiber accused Nuhr and those laughing at the joke of showing a shocking lack of empathy. She said it was disturbing to see privileged people treat the murder of women by partners or ex-partners as entertainment while such tragedies occur multiple times each week in Germany.
The backlash soon expanded beyond social media activists. Singer Mia Julia also reacted publicly, saying she was left speechless and questioning why no one stopped Nuhr during the performance. Thousands of users flooded comment sections, with many demanding accountability from both Nuhr and ARD, the public broadcaster that aired the show.
Many critics also directed anger toward ARD for broadcasting and uploading the segment. Comments described the joke as “classic victim blaming,” while others urged viewers to file formal complaints with *Das Erste* (Channel One), ARD’s main television network. So far, neither Nuhr nor ARD has officially responded.
The controversy comes amid growing concern over violence against women in Germany. According to the *Bundeskriminalamt* (Federal Criminal Police Office), 308 women and girls were killed in Germany in 2024. Most suspects came from the victims’ personal circles, highlighting the continuing danger of domestic and intimate partner violence.
Authorities also recorded nearly 266,000 victims of domestic violence, marking a new record high. Cases involving sexual violence, digital abuse, and violence within intimate relationships have also increased, making the debate around Nuhr’s comments even more sensitive.