In Thuringia, men who face domestic violence and are forced to abandon their homes at short notice often have to seek shelter in other federal states. This is because, unfortunately, Thuringia has yet to establish any protective facilities specifically for men. This situation has predominantly seen affected individuals being housed in Saxony, as mentioned by Thuringia's Equal Opportunities Commissioner, Gabi Ohler.
However, a draft law from the red-red-green coalition is currently being discussed in the Thuringian state parliament with the intention to alter the Thuringian Equal Opportunities Promotion Act to establish such protective facilities for men. This development offers a glimmer of hope for change in the near future.
As per Ohler's observations, the requirement for such shelters for men is relatively small. Over the past few years, only a handful of men have required this type of accommodation outside Thuringia. It's important to note that in instances of partnership violence, women are typically the victims, but men make up around 20% of this demographic. In the remaining 80%, violence is directed towards women.
In contrast, violent shelters for women are readily available in almost all districts and independent cities in Thuringia. One example is the specialized counselling project called A4, located in Jena, catering to men facing partner violence.
A significant challenge lies in quantifying the number of men in Thuringia who have recently experienced intimate partner violence. Additionally, the shifting collecting methods from 2020 to 2021 and the nature of police statistics can make it difficult to accurately assess any perceived increase in reports of violence.
It's also worth noting that the increasing removal of taboos surrounding the topic contributes to the shift in awareness, leading to a growing acknowledgment of previously unreported instances. Organizations supporting men who have experienced such violence have emerged, contributing to the growing attention on the subject.
In short, while progressions are being made, there is still work to be done in terms of providing adequate shelter and support for men facing violence in Thuringia. The national efforts and funding allocated for the Violence Assistance Act may help address the need for violence protection housing across Germany, although the timeline for implementation and regional variations remain key considerations.
