BAG Perpetrator Work in Domestic Violence e.V. calls for faster integration of perpetrator work in domestic violence
On the occasion of this year’s International Women’s Day, the Federal Association for Perpetrator Work in Domestic Violence e.V. (BAG TäHG e.V.) emphasises how indispensable perpetrator work is for sustainable violence prevention in domestic violence and calls for nationwide implementation of the proactive approach in perpetrator work.
The vast majority of those affected by domestic violence – 81 per cent – are women. Domestic violence, i.e. gender-based acts of violence against women, are often repeat offences that are subject to a systematic dynamic. Therefore, working with male perpetrators of violence is a central component of comprehensive violence protection that goes beyond acute crisis intervention.
To prevent further acts of violence, the earliest possible intervention is of particular importance: immediately after the act, male perpetrators of violence are particularly receptive to seeking help. It therefore makes sense to use this moment to refer not only those affected by violence but also perpetrators to counselling services as quickly as possible.
The so-called proactive approach in perpetrator work provides for the timely transfer of information by the police to the regionally responsible perpetrator work institution. However, nationwide application of the proactive approach is currently hindered by differing police regulatory laws and inconsistent interpretations regarding the limits of personal data disclosure. New regulations concerning perpetrator work in the Violence Protection Act and their anchoring in the police and regulatory laws of the federal states could provide a remedy here. Consideration of proactive perpetrator work in the strategy for implementing the Istanbul Convention would also offer a possibility.
The Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention) explicitly provides for the introduction of perpetrator work in Article 16. The independent expert report on the status of implementation of the Istanbul Convention (GREVIO, 2022) recommends, among other things, the integration of perpetrator work institutions into local intervention structures and close cooperation with all stakeholders. It strongly urges the German authorities to intensify their efforts to ensure the establishment of specialised, standard-based perpetrator work programmes nationwide through sustainable public funding. In particular, the introduction of a proactive approach must also be reflected in appropriate funding.
BAG TäHG e.V. has published two reports on the current status of implementing proactive perpetrator work and the respective data protection requirements:
