Schleswig-Holstein strokes funding for victim aid: a scandal?

Schleswig-Holstein strokes funding for victim aid: a scandal?

In a shocking step, the Ministry of Justice of Schleswig-Holstein is planning to completely delete the financing for the psychosocial process support of women who have experienced stalking or domestic violence. So far, 95,000 euros have been provided annually to support this sacrificial -centered service. But as part of a savings course, the money in the budget draft for 2025 simply falls by the wayside. "We are stunned," says Andrea Langmaack from the women's emergency call Kiel and criticizes the decision as a step backwards in violence.

Psychosocial process support is a life rescue for many victims of criminal offenses. It offers support from the criminal complaint to the judgment. Children and adolescents are particularly entitled to this accompaniment according to violence or sexual crimes. Adults, on the other hand, often rely on voluntary services that are now in danger. "We are often dealing with re -enactment or dangerous bodily harm, so that a process support in accordance with the federal law cannot be depicted," explains Langmaack.

What is psychosocial process support?

The ministry justifies the deletion with the reference to legally required measures that are still complied with. "The psychosocial process support is not set with the decision owed solely in the budget situation," emphasizes. But Langmaack wonders when the planned federal laws are actually implemented to expand victim protection. Last year 564 cases were accompanied in Schleswig-Holstein, 102 of which fell under the now endangered voluntary services.

The consequences of this decision could be catastrophic. Women who are caught in violent relationships could be forced into the court halls without support, which often has a retraumatizing effect. "If witnesses are not stabilized, then they cannot make a good statement," warns Langmaack. The deletion of these funds could not only be expensive for the women concerned, but also for society in the long term, since perpetrators often continue with impunity. "Only the consequences of violence are expensive," adds Mußlick.