Bofferding stressed the increasing number of individuals who are coming forward and seeking assistance, indicating a growing intolerance for domestic violence.
In 2022 alone, there were 983 instances of police interventions related to domestic violence, marking a 7.2% rise compared to the previous year. On average, officers responded to approximately 82 calls per month, translating to an average of 2-3 incidents daily.
The report revealed that 60% of the victims were women, with approximately 70% of the perpetrators identified as men. In 75% of the cases, police were summoned due to arguments between couples.
Of particular concern is the persistently high number of repeat offenders, with 24% of the expulsions involving individuals who had previously come to the authorities’ attention.
Efforts are being directed not only towards prevention and victim protection but also towards working with the offenders. However, improved follow-up measures are deemed necessary, as 50% of repeat offenders never report to the “Riicht Eraus” support service.
Bofferding proposed exploring alternative sanctions in addition to fines, suggesting a holistic approach to address the issue effectively.
