Every third woman in Germany is a victim of physical and/or sexual violence at least once in her life

Prof. Dr. Sylvia Sacco heads the Department of Management in Health and Social Organizations at the BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg. She conducts research on the topic of domestic violence. In this interview, she provides insights into her research on physical and sexualized violence against women.

Every third woman in Germany is a victim of physical and/or sexual violence in her current or former relationship at least once in her life. What factors promote domestic violence?

Prof. Sylvia Sacco: To answer this, the following aspects must be taken into account:

At the macro level: basically, the power structures in our societyrepresent the breeding ground on which violence grows. Domestic violence is not tied to specific milieus or to educational status; it can affect the academic as well as the janitor. However, research shows that a woman's higher status relative to her partner, significantly increases the likelihood of violence.

Risk factors for violence are located at the micro level, i.e. in the family or in a couple relationship :

  • Experience of family violence in the family of origin. ...
  • Social disadvantage of the family. ...
  • Possessiveness of the man towards his partner.
  • General development problems. ...
  • Poor future prospects. ...
  • Alcohol consumption
  • Disorientation in socialization. ...
  • Children increase the risk of violence
  • Intense media use (as violence is portrayed or glorified as "normal" in the media).

Domestic violence often escalates through conflicts, for example:

  • Controlling behavior
  • Jealousy
  • Sexual demands
  • Childcare and education
  • Differences about housework
  • Differences on financial matters....

You are researching the monetary perspective of violence. How high do you put the costs of domestic violence?

Prof. Sylvia Sacco: The total sum, consisting of direct tangibles (immediate costs) and indirect tangibles (transfer costs), calculated for Germany is 3.8 billion euros per year. Calculated for all persons of working age (from 18 to 65 years), this results in a value (as a lower limit) of at least 74 euros per person and year. In addition, to the directly tangible costs of 1,043.8 million euros per year and the indirectly tangible costs of 2,756.5 million euros per year, there are also the intangible costs related to the lifetime of 17,975.8 million euros (for disability, premature death and pain). However, only the tip of an iceberg could be visualized in the reported costs of this cost study (Sacco 2017). The actual costs are far higher, as only a portion of the costs could be captured due to the lack of databases.

What is needed politically to move forward on the path you would like to see?

We need the consistent outlawing of violence in general as well as specifically of couple violence in society, in politics and in the media. What is needed is a return to a culture of peaceful, friendly coexistence characterized by understanding and love. In the Christian occidental culture, the anchoring of protection and love as a basic construct for marriage is often carried out and given.

What advice can you give to people who feel trapped in violent relationships and see no way out?

Women affected by violence, or women who know women affected by violence, can find comprehensive information on the Internet, for example on the website of the Women's Shelter Coordination and can use it to find the nearest counseling centers or a women's shelter. In the counseling center, help can then be provided, specifically related to the individual situation. This page also provides for deletion of the data in the browser so that no further problems arise. Of course, in acute danger, the police should be alerted immediately. This is usually specially trained and is quickly on the spot to protect the women and children.


 

 

Contact

Prof. Dr. rer. pol. Sylvia Sacco
Management in Gesundheits- und Sozialorganisationen
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