On 23 November 2023, the Federal Association for Domestic Violence Perpetrator Work (BAG TäHG e.V.) held its annual specialist conference in Berlin. The focus of the event, “Approaches and Methods for Working with Intellectually Impaired Perpetrators”, addressed a topic that has been largely ignored until now, but is all the more pressing.
Member organisations of the BAG TäHG are increasingly facing enquiries from people with disabilities who use violence, as well as from courts and other institutions (e.g. those working with people with disabilities). However, as with support for victims, perpetrator work has so far lacked concepts and measures that sufficiently take into account the diverse realities of life for people with disabilities. The BAG TäHG therefore carried out a three-year project on working with intellectually impaired perpetrators in collaboration with Gesine Intervention. The results of the project, which was funded by Aktion Mensch, formed the basis of the specialist event.
Prof. Dr Monika Schröttle opened the event with a lecture on “Protection against violence in facilities for people with disabilities”. She introduced the approximately 50 participants to the topic and, based on her research findings, illustrated the need for comprehensive protection against violence that sufficiently considers not only people with disabilities but also (inclusive) perpetrator work.
The presentation of the BAG project on working with intellectually impaired perpetrators followed, given by Linda Conradi (Management, BAG TäHG). Lea Reinhard (Lebenshilfe e.V.) and Roland Hertel (BAG TäHG) then reported on their practical work within the project. In their presentation, “Body- and movement-oriented perpetrator work with cognitively impaired perpetrators: practical experiences from Lebenshilfe Germersheim”, the speakers went into depth on practical approaches and methods for working with this target group.
Based on the theoretical and practical insights, a practical exchange then took place on the topic of “People with special needs who use violence in perpetrator work”. In three groups, participants discussed opportunities, challenges, and quality assurance in working with intellectually impaired perpetrators. Furthermore, other target groups with special needs were identified and previous experiences were shared. The event concluded at 5:00 pm.
We would like to express our sincere thanks to all speakers, all participants, and everyone involved in the planning and implementation of the conference.
