Stade District Council: First step against intimate partner violence on June 23rd!

Stade District Council: First step against intimate partner violence on June 23rd!

On Monday, June 23rd, the Stade district council will meet at 9 a.m. in the district hall. This meeting will not only be open to residents in the large meeting room, but will also be livestreamed so that those interested can follow along from home. Important topics are on the agenda that have both regional and social significance. These include the establishment of a perpetrator counseling center for intimate partner violence, a topic that is currently receiving a lot of media attention. Stade district reports about the various items on the agenda, which include not only the advice center, but also facilities such as an integration center and projects to promote cycling.

The application to create an advice center for perpetrators of domestic violence was recently discussed by the district council in the Rotenburg district and shows the urgency with which this issue must be addressed. Michaela Holsten, the initiator of the application and chairwoman of the women's union in the district, emphasizes that every fourth woman experiences violence from a partner in her life. The focus of this counseling center is on reducing repeated acts of violence in relationships and giving perpetrators the opportunity to take responsibility for their actions. District newspaper describes the demand for better integration of these advisory services into existing structures.

Social relevance

The issue of domestic violence is widespread in Germany and affects many women, as the data shows. In 2023, around 181,000 of the approximately 256,000 victims of domestic violence were female. However, the number of unreported cases is high because many of those affected do not report the crime out of shame or fear. A perpetrator counseling center could help break the cycle of violence and create better awareness of the consequences of intimate partner violence. Statista points out that violence against women often occurs in a family context and perpetrators often come from a personal environment.

In many cases, men are also victims of domestic violence, which is often not sufficiently acknowledged. Around 40% of the victims are male, but the discussion about their concerns often remains in the shadow of the problem of female victims. The prejudice and stigma associated with it require a different approach to prevention and education. The need Expanding offers of help and making them better known is becoming increasingly urgent.

A common approach from all parties involved—from the police, who support the operation with information material from the advice center, to existing women's shelters that offer protection and help—is crucial. The district council meeting on June 23rd could therefore represent the first step in a more comprehensive strategy against domestic violence in the region and be a sign to all those affected that their issues and needs are being taken seriously.