Charité help for victims of domestic violence

Help for victims of violence will be expanded

03/25/2014

In Berlin, there is now a new point of contact for victims of domestic and sexual violence. In the Charité's new force-protection ambulance, those affected can have their injuries documented without having to file a complaint immediately. This secured the evidence for later trials.

Victim protection should be further strengthened
In Berlin's Charité, people who have become victims of violence but do not want to report the crime to the police can now get help. Concerned persons can have their forensic examination and have their documents documented in the new out-of-state outpatient clinic regardless of their age or gender. At the presentation of the new offer on Monday in the Red Town Hall, Justice Senator Thomas Heilmann (CDU) expressed his delight that the protection of victims could be further strengthened with the first Berlin violence protection clinic. Above all, he hopes that the taboo subject of domestic violence could be taken a little further out of the dark field. Victim protection go to everyone and never settle. The new facility started work on 17 February.

Financing not yet clarified
According to the Senator, in Berlin in 2012 there were almost 500 cases of ill-treatment of children under protection, almost 15,800 cases of domestic violence and 13,000 investigations. The violent protection ambulance is supported by the Senate with 150,000 euros per year. The new facility is still affiliated with the Charité Institute of Forensic Medicine in Moabit, but will move into its own area within the Campus Virchow-Klinikum in Wedding within the next two years. The construction costs would be estimated at around one and a half to two million euros. The financing is not yet clarified. The Charité-Rechtsmediziner Professor Michael Tsokos sees the health insurance companies in the obligation. Basically, the health policy is required.

Violence runs through all layers
So far, it has almost only been possible in Berlin to document injuries caused by violence to health care physicians, said forensic physician Saskia Etzold. These would often be under pressure of time and are more specialized in wound care than on a court-proof documentation. Forensic medicine could only be intervened by the police in the case of particularly serious injuries. Victims of domestic violence, injuries after violent crimes and child maltreatment are now treated in the new violent protection clinic. Their medical director, Michael Tsokos, said that violence is spreading through all layers.

Women are most often in the out-of-office
Most often, however, women come to the facility, who were beaten by their husband and want to have the violence documented without the police immediately turn. In addition, employees of youth welfare offices had presented children with injuries and also men who were victims of violent robberies, have already been investigated. This fact is not known to many people: Domestic violence is also directed against men. Just a few months ago, a study conducted by a Robert Koch Institute (RKI) health study revealed that men are affected just as often as women. Male victims of violence, however, rarely seek help and hide their grief from shame. The psychotherapist Christa Roth-Sackenheim said at the time to the news agency dpa: „Domestic violence is highly taboo. And men are even more embarrassed because it's not the male role to be beaten.“

Victims should not be left for too long
The new victim assistance, unlike the treatment of a family doctor, can better recognize signs of violence such as gripping marks or disembarkation injuries. After the investigation, it is clarified whether there is any further need for advice. Affected and their families, thanks to the cooperation with the Berlin networks, can be mediated against violence at partner institutions such as LARA, the White Ring or the Initiative against Violence against Women (BIG). Affected individuals are advised to make an appointment in advance with the emergency services outpatient clinic. As the deputy head of the institution, Saskia Etzold, said, help seekers usually get an appointment the same or the next day. The investigation itself is free. Also a consultation by telephone is possible. People who have been victims of violence should not for too long take a documentary. Because many injuries are no longer visible after one to two weeks. For hematomas or chalks, a period of 72 hours is often sufficient to make the traces of violence invisible. (Sb)