In Ibbenbüren, a man hits his wife several times in the face with his fist - resulting in hematomas. In Lengerich, a young woman is strangled by her boyfriend and pushed against the wall. In Rheine, an accused man locks a woman in a room in the apartment they share. Police officers in the Steinfurt district are called to cases of domestic violence almost every day. It is often women who are the victims of violence.
But not only. Women and children can also be perpetrators. Recently in Steinfurt, for example, a young mother attacked her husband with punches in the presence of their three children. She later also became aggressive towards the officers deployed. In Altenberge, a woman became violent towards her teenage daughter. She bites and chokes her. In Ochtrup, an adult son attacks his father.
Since the beginning of 2023, the district police authority has recorded over 70 cases of domestic violence. Last year - according to figures from the recently published crime statistics - 713 cases of domestic violence were documented by the police. Most of these cases involved bodily harm, but also threats and insults.
Every case is taken seriously
When the police control center receives an emergency call about domestic violence, the officers don't know what to expect. Is it an exceptional dispute or a verbal threat? Or is a victim being subjected to enormous psychological or physical violence that has been going on for a long time? Every case is taken seriously. Because one thing is clear: anyone who contacts the police about domestic violence has taken an important first step towards escaping a spiral of violence - or helping someone who is affected by violence.
The police officers first of all avert the acute danger. They prevent the violence from escalating, clarify the situation and expel the perpetrator from the apartment or house. The officers on site also issue a ban on returning for a maximum of ten days.
During the period in which the victim is banned from the home, they can take their time to get their bearings, consider how to proceed with their housing situation, for example, and contact counseling services if necessary. If the victim agrees to their contact details being passed on, the police will contact the relevant help centers. They then approach the victim.
In 2022, the police issued a total of 281 home bans and bans on returning home in connection with domestic violence, in 211 cases victims were referred to advice centers.
It is a criminal offense
Important to know: Violence in relationships is not a private matter! Domestic violence is a criminal offense - for example, assault, coercion or deprivation of liberty. It is everyone's right to seek help and to call the police in acute situations of violence. Many victims feel ashamed because domestic violence always involves conflicts with those closest to them and it is difficult to open up to strangers. Many are also afraid because they don't know what will happen if they bring in someone from "outside". When there are children in the family, the internal hurdles are often particularly great.
However, the police in the Steinfurt district would like to encourage you: Get help! This is the only way to break the cycle of violence. It is the first, important step on the way to a life free of violence - for you and for your loved ones.
