Enigmatic reports of witnesses: contradictions in the process of violence and abuse

Enigmatic reports of witnesses: contradictions in the process of violence and abuse

In the middle of a highly emotional process of attempted murder it becomes clear how deep the rooting of violence is in personal relationships. The case revolves around a defendant who has been looked after by the youth welfare office since May 2018. A witness, the ex-girlfriend of the accused, stated in her extensive statement that he had separated from him a month before the incident and had no further contact with him. However, it turned out that she communicated with him in ten phone calls on the day of the crime. These contradictions were recorded in the interrogations by the presiding judge Heike Hartmann-Garschagen.

The ex-girlfriend reported violent experiences in the relationship, a point confirmed by the social worker of the youth welfare office. Despite these warning signals, the procedure for possible child welfare was stopped because there were no indications. The defendant himself denies the allegations and refers to an IQ test that classifies him as intellectually disadvantaged, with a value between 65 and 75, which is considered extremely low.

experiences with violence in relationships

The process also raises more comprehensive questions about violence in relationships. According to a review of studies on violence prevention programs, it can be seen that such initiatives in schools and other municipal institutions often do not lead to a significant reduction in violent relationships. There is a slight improvement in knowledge of healthy relationships, but the actual change in behavior among the participants often fails to materialize.

A investigating police officer also described the condition of the victim, which had attempted suicide and gave the impression that they were caught in a hopeless Situation. This presentation supports the ex-girlfriend's claims about previous experiences of violence, which have now been discussed in large numbers in the interrogation.

support and support

For those affected by sexual abuse, there are numerous support offers, including youth welfare offices, advice centers, the German Child Protection Association, as well as specialized emergency numbers such as the number against grief, which can be reached from Monday to Saturday between 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. These resources are crucial for children and adolescents who suffer from abuse or live in violent conditions.

The next negotiation will take place on May 14th, and a forensic-psychiatric report by Dr. Nikolaus Grünherz is imminent. The hope of clarification and the inclusion of external reports underline the complexity of the case, which reveals both the individual and the social dimension of violence.