A heated debate has broken out in Germany over a remark by the head of a police association who said in a TV interview that women should better "not get into a relationship with a man."

Dirk Peglow, the head of the Federal Association of German Detectives (BDK), made the comment Monday while speaking about the latest criminal statistics in Germany , which show a high rate of violence against women .

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Violent sexual offenses on the rise

Peglow's remark came as he was discussing an 8.5% rise in the number of rape, sexual assault and sexual offenses of a particularly serious nature or resulting in death.

When asked by public broadcaster ZDF host Dunja Hayali what his advice to women was, Peglow answered: "Better not get into a relationship with a man."

"If you do, the risk is much higher of becoming a victim of psychological or physical…