Domestic violence - the victim stays, the perpetrator leaves
Comfort, trust, safety - that's what you expect in a domestic relationship. However, when humiliation and violence are experienced instead, this is a burden for victims
LKA NRW / State and Federal Police Crime Prevention Program
What is "domestic violence"?
Domestic violence includes all forms of physical, sexual and/or psychological violence between people, usually in the home
It does not matter whether the persons are married, in a registered partnership or simply living together. It is also irrelevant which sexual orientation is involved or whether it is a community of several generations. What is important is that the people are in a relationship with each other (which still exists, is in the process of being dissolved or has been dissolved for some time). The place of the incident can also be outside the home, e.g. on the street, at work or in other places. However, the home itself is often the scene of the crime.
Domestic violence is hurtful, punishable and not a private matter. Domestic violence takes many forms. They range from subtle forms of violence through behavior that ignores the needs and sensitivities of the victim, humiliation, insults and intimidation, threats as well as psychological, physical and sexual abuse, deprivation of liberty to rape or even attempted or completed murder. Almost all forms of domestic violence constitute acts that are punishable by law: Domestic violence is not a separate criminal offense. There are numerous possible criminal offenses that trigger ex officio police action in connection with domestic violence, because domestic violence is never a private matter. The following applies: "Everyone has the right to life and physical integrity. The freedom of the person is inviolable." (Article 2 of the Basic Law)
