Domestic violence
The particularly serious aspect of this type of violence is that the threat comes from the immediate living environment. This usually means the person’s own home, and therefore the place that is the most personal for them. To experience violence committed by a person who is or was very trusted, in an environment that is supposed to offer protection and security, makes it very clear how this type of violence attacks the most intimate space of a person and how it breaches their personal rights and right to freedom. Domestic violence weakens or destroys self-esteem and has serious consequences for the body and the mind of the person affected.
Forms of violence
Mental violence means…
  | intimidating, insulting, verbally abusing, humiliating |
| pressuring with threats, for example threatening to take the children away |
| scaring through looks, gestures, words or actions |
| destroying property, locking in or out |
| controlling what a person does, with whom they speak, where they go |
| declaring a person to be mad |
| blaming |
Social violence means…
| not being allowed to make one’s own decisions any more |
| children being used as a means of pressure |
| being treated like a servant |
| being maligned and denunciated in one‘s social environment |
| being continuously isolated from relatives, acquaintances, friends |
| … |
Economic violence means…
| you are forbidden to find a job |
| you are allowed money, refused money or prevented from managing the money |
| you are forced to subscribe to contracts or guarantees |
| … |
Sexualised violence means …
| sexual touching |
| being coerced into sexual practices against your will |
| rape |
| … |
Behaviour suggestions for affected persons
If you are living in a relationship that might escalate, or if you have already experienced violent outbursts from your partner, you should make preparations to protect yourself and your children.
| Obtain information about domestic violence/stalking from the media, for example the Internet… |
| Document precisely the course of the violence – place, time, witnesses, what happened… |
| Obtain medical certificates about injuries you suffered as soon as possible. |
| As a precaution, keep important documents in a safe place (copy the documents) – this will allow you more independence and financial security after a separation. |
| For your own protection, avoid mentioning your intent of leaving your partner or using it as a threat – you should first make a clear decision and have a safe place to go. |
| In the event of threats of violence or a new escalation, call the police if possible – telephone 110 |
| If you wish for protection in a women’s home, call them. Women’s protection homes are usually available 24/7 or via the police. |
| You should absolutely contact our counselling centre in order to discuss further protection measures or emergency plans. A discussion can sometimes be very helpful and relieving in its own right. |
