Domestic violence in Wittmund: Advice center should help those affected

Domestic violence in Wittmund: Advice center should help those affected

In the Wittmund district, the alarm bell beats! The number of reported cases of domestic violence has reached a shocking increase of around 50 percent! According to the annual report of the advisory and intervention center for domestic violence (bite), a total of 784 cases were registered in 2023- the highest number since the introduction of the Violence Protection Act in 2002. Wittmund is particularly affected, where 175 of these cases were documented. An urgent need for action is obvious, and those responsible react!

The district council has decided to set up a low -threshold advice center to offer the victims of violence immediate help. The social committee has already taken the first steps to develop an agreement that sets the details of this important facility. Marco Börgmann, Head of Youth and Social Affairs department, emphasizes the need for this proactive advice: "It is crucial to achieve those affected immediately after a event of an event." The DRK Aurich is ready to extend its proven advisory service to Wittmund, and the suitable premises are already available in the former OLB building.

increasing number of cases and necessary measures

The situation is alarming! The existing offers in the neighboring district of Aurich, including a women's shelter and a advice center, can no longer cope with the increasing number of cases. The bite has recorded a dramatic increase in inquiries in recent years. In order to do justice to the victims of domestic violence, an additional half is required, which is associated with annual costs of around 35,000 euros. However, these financial burdens must be carefully weighed, since the Wittmund district has to deal with a tense household in the coming years.

The establishment of a branch office could also bring financial support: the Lower Saxony State Office for Social Affairs, Youth and Family offers annual funding of 3,000 euros. The discussion about the establishment of this advice center will continue and the administration is commissioned to have discussions with the DRK in order to submit the agreement until the next social committee in May 2025. Time is pushing and hope for quick help for those affected is growing!