In the state of Thuringia, men who encounter domestic violence and need to leave their homes in a hurry often find themselves seeking refuge in other federal states due to the lack of dedicated protective facilities for men in Thuringia themselves. This unfortunate situation has led to a significant number of affected men being housed in Saxony, as revealed by Thuringia's Equal Opportunities Commissioner, Gabi Ohler.
However, there's a glimmer of hope on the horizon, with a draft law from the red-red-green coalition currently being discussed in the Thuringian state parliament. This legislation aims to modify the Thuringian Equal Opportunities Promotion Act to establish protective facilities for men in Thuringia.
According to Ohler, the demand for such shelters for men is relatively low, with only a few men requiring this type of accommodation outside of Thuringia over the past few years. It's worth noting that while women are the primary victims of partnership violence, men account for approximately 20% of this demographic. In the remaining 80%, violence is predominantly directed towards women.
Conversely, shelters for women affected by domestic violence are readily available in almost every district and independent city in Thuringia. One example is the specialized counselling project called A4, located in Jena, which caters to men facing partner violence.
The primary challenge lies in accurately quantifying the number of men in Thuringia who have recently experienced intimate partner violence. The shifting methodology for collecting data from 2020 to 2021 and the nature of police statistics make this task particularly challenging. Additionally, the increasing removal of taboos surrounding the topic and the growth of organizations supporting men who have experienced such violence are contributing to a growing awareness and acknowledgment of previously unreported instances.
While progress is being made, providing adequate shelter and support for men facing violence in Thuringia still requires attention. The national efforts and funding allocated for the Violence Assistance Act may help address the need for violence protection housing across Germany, although regional variations and timelines for implementation remain significant considerations.
In terms of data collection challenges, domestic violence, particularly against men, is often underreported, and societal stigma can discourage men from reporting incidents. Furthermore, the availability of resources, such as funding and personnel, can limit the capacity to establish and maintain protective facilities. Integrating various services, including social services, healthcare, and law enforcement, can also be challenging due to the lack of coordination or resources. Raising public awareness about domestic violence affecting men requires consistent educational efforts.
Despite these challenges, ongoing efforts are being made to establish protective facilities and support services for men facing domestic violence in Germany. These efforts often require a comprehensive approach that includes education, resource allocation, and interdisciplinary collaboration. National initiatives and regional collaborations, such as the Climate N network and the Mobility Economics Conference at TU Ilmenau, are all part of this broader effort.
