How do I recognise domestic violence?

In the case of audible or visible boundary violation between partners in public – starting with devaluations, humiliation up to physical violence – do not ignore it or look away, but take the initiative without force. If you witness an acute conflict situation, you can intervene in a de-escalating way, but you should not endanger your own safety.

If you assume that people are threatened by acute violence, do not hesitate and call the police directly on 110. Describe your observations or fears and give the police the address.

In the case of non-visible escalating conflicts, talk to your neighbour, for example. Be mindful of the autonomy and boundaries of the person affected by violence. As a neighbour, you can also inform the police in the event of an escalating conflict and report “domestic violence” by telephone.

Signs of domestic violence

Signs of domestic violence in the social environment are:

The person…

• has recently become withdrawn, absent, depressed, insecure, nervous, anxious or irritable.
• has no time (any more) to meet with relatives, friends, colleagues or to take part in online meetings and finds different explanations or forgets appointments or postpones them again and again.
• always has to consult their partner first or the partner refuses to leave the person alone, controls them.
• always gives priority to the partner’s wishes and subordinates herself/himself to the opinion.
• is constantly exhausted, has various (non-specific) physical complaints or increasingly consumes addictive substances.