Federal President Steinmeier discusses: clear sign against violence!

Federal President Steinmeier discusses: clear sign against violence!

at a time when the topic of domestic violence increasingly focuses on, the exchange between experts is of great importance. The visit of Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Neuruppin illustrated the urgency of this problem. He spoke to the family judge Constanze number tree, who has been working at the Neuruppin district court since 2019 and has been responsible for family things since 2020. In their procedures, violence, often unnoticed, is a constant companion, as explained in a conversation. About 70 percent of the cases were about custody and dealing with children, although experience experiences are often not revealed. Many women fear for their custody if they address violence and the social exclusion does not contribute to improvement.

The Federal Ministry of Family Affairs has actively tackled the problem of violence against women and children in recent years. A conference took place in December 2022, which addressed local approaches to take into account domestic violence when regulating concerns and dealings. It was emphasized that the security of affected parents and children must be in the top priority. Ekin Deligöz, Parliamentary State Secretary, confirmed the need to fully implement the Istanbul Convention, which has been in force in Germany since 2018. This convention obliges to take violent incidents into account when it comes to decisions about custody and dealings, which should make such procedures more transparent and secure in the future.

The challenge in rural space

The situation is particularly challenging in rural regions, where the perpetrator and victims often live in the same social environment. Number tree appeals to the importance of further training for judges and lawyers in order to develop a better understanding of the dynamics of domestic violence. The mostly hidden violence experiences must no longer be disregarded, and mediation - often part of the solution - also has its limits here. In such cases, perpetrators are often not willing to take responsibility, and the psychologist Michaela Rönnefahrt from the women's shelter made it clear that more antigewal training is required, but they are arranged far too rarely.

A nationwide research project that has been funded by the Federal Ministry of Family Affairs since November 2021 has already published results on local case studies. This is intended to help recognize the importance of a structural change. New approaches to security and violence protection are required so that not only the rights of the violent parent are preserved, but at the same time the safety of mothers and children is not in danger. This shows that many legal decisions can increase the psychological stress of affected children and adolescents who often become perpetrators or sacrifice.

The role of the Istanbul Convention

The Istanbul Convention has created clear guidelines that are of great importance even in future legal proceedings. In the event of signs of violence, family courts must focus on the security of everyone involved. The OLG Düsseldorf has emphasized that when making custody decisions, a balance between the fundamental rights of all parents and children must be established, which is in line with Article 31 of the convention. Here it becomes clear that legal innovations and rethinking in society are necessary to constructively solve violent conflicts and give the victims a voice.

In the analysis of current topics related to domestic violence in Germany, it shows how important it is to toast not only in the dishes, but also throughout society. The challenges are great, but with will and clarity, it can be possible to make a change.