Shock in Gelsenkirchen: Man threatens woman with violence and divorce!

Shock in Gelsenkirchen: Man threatens woman with violence and divorce!

A shocking case from Gelsenkirchen is causing a stir: a 33-year-old man is on trial for serious allegations such as rape and bodily harm. According to information from Radio Emscher Lippe The man is said to have sexually assaulted his own wife against her will. The threat of divorce and repatriation to Syria falls into the realm of psychological violence and illustrates how complex the dynamics of domestic violence are.

In shocking detail, it is reported that during a phone call with his mother, the defendant ordered his wife to stop crying. His brutal attacks included hair pulling, choking to the point of shortness of breath and punches to the face. Injuries to the arms, knees and hips are the physical result of these attacks. The day of the trial could possibly end with a verdict today, fueling public discussion about violence against women in Germany.

Domestic violence – a profound social problem

Domestic violence, an issue that often remains hidden, affects many women in Germany. According to the Federal Office for Women's Rights In 2023, over 167,000 people experienced violence in relationships, with 79.2% of those affected being women. This number represents only a fraction as many incidents are never reported.

The Istanbul Convention, passed in 2011 and legally binding in Germany since 2018, is intended to help combat violence against women and domestic violence. According to this convention, domestic violence includes not only physical attacks, but also psychological and economic violence. The causes are diverse, including patriarchal structures and control over the partner.

Social consequences of violence against women

The effects of domestic violence are not only severe physically but also psychologically. The women affected often suffer from long-lasting consequences such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. The Violence Against Women Monitor from the German Institute for Human Rights documents the developments and challenges in dealing with violence against women in Germany and describes the successes and construction sites in the implementation of the Istanbul Convention.

The numbers are alarming: In 2023, 155 women in Germany were killed by intimate partner violence. One in three women have experienced physical violence in their lifetime. The social and economic costs of this violence are estimated at around 53 billion euros annually.

The current situation challenges us all: as a society, we have to take a closer look, address the issue openly and give victims of violence the space to be heard. This is the only way we can address the roots of violence and bring about change.