Law enforcement initiative - "Heartbeat" strives to fight against partner violence.
To fight against abuse in relationships and towards ex-partners, the Lower Saxony Criminal Police have organized an online campaign and a new hiking exhibition. Despite a growing network of support services, violent crimes in these areas haven't decreased in recent times, according to President of the LKA, Friedo de Vries. In 2023, as per police criminal statistics, such crimes increased across Germany by 11%, totaling 29,857 offenses.
In a German Press Agency interview, de Vries added that a large gray area exists where most incidents go unreported. A 2022 survey commissioned by the LKA revealed that only 0.5% of such crimes were reported to law enforcement.
This exhibition, named "Heartbeat. When love becomes violence," will debut at a "Violence against women. Protection through prevention in Lower Saxony" conference on June 6. After that, it will travel to different locations like schools and youth facilities. The exhibition features panels sharing real-life experiences of victims, including their consequences on children. The campaign's team, led by Victoria Rufledt from the LKA's Prevention Department, wants to create awareness for signs of violence in relationships and provide support avenues. Rufledt, who previously worked in patrol and criminal investigation duties, believes these red flags are often missed. She also mentioned how the victims' environment can play a role in intensifying and normalizing abuse.
For de Vries, it's crucial to educate young people about different forms of violence, including psychological and digital forms. According to an evaluation from 2022, younger women (18-21 years old) reported experiencing violence in (ex-)partnerships more often than older women. The rates for this age group were 9.3%. The survey included all types of aggression: psychological, physical, sexual, and stalking, de Vries explained. The majority of victims had experienced these one or more of these.
De Vries also said their previous perception of domestic violence was that it occurred over a long period of the relationship. However, many young people are already trapped in abusive relationships with controlling and bullying behavior. As part of the campaign, the LKA intends to target this age group specifically. "Our previous image of domestic violence was that it took shape over several years within the partnership. But we're seeing more and more young people trapped in toxic relationships," de Vries stated. "With 'Heartbeat,' we are speaking directly to this age group. The traumatic experiences these victims have already endured at a young age have devastating long-term effects." The leader of the LKA emphasized the importance of reaching out to young people and strengthening them, stressing that violence is terrifying and has nothing to do with love.
Read also:
- Despite the growing network of support services in Lower Saxony, violent crimes related to domestic violence and partner abuse haven't decreased, as stated by President of LKA Lower Saxony, Friedo de Vries.
- In Hanover, the LKA is launching an online campaign and a new hiking exhibition named "Heartbeat. When love becomes violence" to combat domestic violence and partner violence.
- According to de Vries, only 0.5% of domestic violence incidents are reported to the police in Germany, as revealed by a 2022 survey commissioned by the LKA.
- The campaign led by Victoria Rufledt from the LKA's Prevention Department aims to create awareness for signs of violence in relationships and provide support avenues for women experiencing domestic violence.
- In 2023, police criminal statistics showed a 11% increase in domestic violence across Germany, totaling 29,857 offenses, emphasizing the need for initiatives like the "Heartbeat" campaign.
- De Vries underlines the importance of educating young people about different forms of violence, including psychological and digital forms, as a majority of women in the 18-21 age group reported experiencing violence in their relationships.
- For the victims of domestic violence, the consequences of abuse can have long-term effects on their mental health and relationships, highlighting the need for preventative measures and support services in Germany.
