Domestic violence - the victim stays, the perpetrator leaves
Comfort, trust, safety - that's what you expect in a domestic relationship. However, when humiliation and violence are experienced instead, this is a burden for victims
LKA NRW / State and Federal Police Crime Prevention Program
What is "domestic violence"?
Domestic violence includes all forms of physical, sexual and/or psychological violence between people, usually in the home
It does not matter whether the persons are married, in a registered partnership or simply living together. It is also irrelevant which sexual orientation is involved or whether it is a community of several generations. What is important is that the people are in a relationship with each other (which still exists, is in the process of being dissolved or has been dissolved for some time). The place of the incident can also be outside the home, e.g. on the street, at work or in other places. However, the home itself is often the scene of the crime.
Domestic violence is hurtful, punishable and not a private matter. Domestic violence takes many forms. They range from subtle forms of violence through behavior that ignores the needs and sensitivities of the victim, humiliation, insults and intimidation, threats as well as psychological, physical and sexual abuse, deprivation of liberty to rape or even attempted or completed murder. Almost all forms of domestic violence constitute acts that are punishable by law: Domestic violence is not a separate criminal offense. There are numerous possible criminal offenses that trigger ex officio police action in connection with domestic violence, because domestic violence is never a private matter. The following applies: "Everyone has the right to life and physical integrity. The freedom of the person is inviolable." (Article 2 of the Basic Law)
Domestic violence affects all levels of education and income equally. It exists in all age groups, nationalities, religions and cultures. Domestic violence does not arise from a specific situation, such as a bar fight. Rather, it is an expression of an ongoing relationship of power and dependency between the perpetrator and the victim. Relationships in which violence is used are often subject to a dynamic of their own that follows a certain pattern. It is typical that the situation initially calms down and the perpetrator apologizes, but then continues to be violent. Over time, the distances may
between the individual outbreaks of violence become shorter and the severity of the violence increases. Domestic violence is therefore not an isolated incident. Studies for Germany and Europe show that around a quarter of all women in Germany are victims of domestic violence at some point in their lives. Children are also affected by this violence if they learn about violence as a conflict resolution pattern in their family, experience violence themselves or observe it. These children then often tend to become violent themselves or victims of partner violence later on. For this reason alone, domestic violence must be prevented or stopped immediately.
- In the event of an acute threat, dial 110! The police will do everything necessary to protect you
- Report the crime to the police. You can file a criminal complaint at any police station.
- A person you trust and/or a legal adviser can accompany you to report the crime.
- If the police become aware of domestic violence (e.g. through calls from neighbors), they must initiate an investigation ex officio.
- If you are still undecided about calling the police, contact someone you trust or seek advice, but take action!
- Contact a counseling or intervention center for domestic violence. The police or the "Violence against women" helpline on 08000 116 016 will put you in touch with your local area, around the clock and in many languages.
- Note down the details of the incident, such as the date, time and what exactly happened.
- Visit a doctor, tell them the origin of the injuries and have the injuries certified and, for example, photographed so that they can be documented as evidence for any criminal charges.
- Women's shelters also offer you protection from threats and the staff can advise you on further steps.
If you are being threatened or put under pressure, be sure to report this to the police. This is the only way the police can quickly take appropriate measures to protect you.
In order to avert danger and prevent further acts of violence, the
Police can take a range of measures:
- If violence has been used, the police can expel the perpetrator from the home and ban him or her from returning for a maximum of 10 days if there is a risk of further violence.
- A violation of the expulsion from the home and the ban on return can be prosecuted with a fine or imprisonment. If the perpetrator attempts to enter the home during the ban on return, inform the police in any case.
- The period of several days allowed for the police to ban the victim from the home gives them the opportunity to seek counseling, get support from a local help facility and obtain protection under civil law.
