Pandemic: No increase in domestic violence cases

"You are not alone": The Erding police did not report a large increase in cases of domestic violence in the past year, but the number of unreported cases cannot yet be estimated.

Children and young people struggle with loneliness and depression

District of Erding - After a two-year break, the “Domestic Violence” round table met under the leadership of the new equal opportunities officer for the district of Erding, Sabine Trettenbacher. This working group deals with protection and assistance for female victims of domestic violence.

One of the focal points of the conference was to take stock of the effects of the corona pandemic on women. Contrary to all expectations, no significant increase in cases of domestic violence was observed by any of the agencies involved.

However, the psychological and financial stress caused by the pandemic often intensifies the problems. The police report a decrease in the number of reported violent crimes in the family area. The women's shelter was also underutilized during the lockdown phase. It is believed that the women affected by domestic violence were more under the control of their tormentor. The increased number of calls to the women's emergency number speaks in favor of this thesis. However, the number of unreported cases cannot yet be estimated.

With regard to children and adolescents, the educational counseling center and the youth welfare office often observed that many families were approaching during the first lockdown and the deadline pressure was no longer there.

From the second lockdown onwards, it became apparent that the mental stress in the families - often hand in hand with financial worries - was increasing. Children and adolescents in particular struggle with loneliness, depression, suicidal thoughts and addiction problems. Fears have increased. Many fear a new lockdown. The most important signal from all those involved in the round table to affected women is: “You are not alone. We help and support you. "

In addition to employees of the district office from the youth welfare office and family, representatives of the following organizations are permanent members, as they are confronted with the topic of "violence against women" on a daily basis: Erding women's refuge, "domestic violence" intervention center in Erding, women's emergency number, police headquarters in Upper Bavaria North, Erding Police Department, Landshut Public Prosecutor's Office, Erding District Court, Weißer Ring - Help for Victims of Violence, IN VIA Migration Advice, Caritas Center Erding, Erding Marriage Counseling, Donum Vitae - Pregnancy Advice Center, Erding Bridge and the Employment Agency. - Claudia Fiebrandt-Kirmeyer