Recognizing warning signs of femicide: "Either she comes back or I'll kill her!"

This article addresses topics such as violence, femicide, and suicide. These topics may be distressing and/or re-traumatizing for some people.

The most dangerous person in a woman's life is her own partner or ex-partner . The first comprehensive study on femicides by the North Rhine-Westphalia State Office of Criminal Investigation demonstrates this bitter reality: 87 percent of the crimes are committed by current or former partners, and 99 percent of the perpetrators are male. According to police crime statistics, a woman falls victim to such a crime almost every day in Germany.

How can such acts of violence be prevented?

But how can such acts of violence be identified and prevented early? We spoke with two experts about this.

Uwe Stürmer, President of the Ravensburg Police Headquarters and former head of the Stuttgart Homicide Squad, has been researching lethal violence against women in their own homes for 30 years. Recebba Bondü is a professor at the Berlin School of Psychology (PHB) and conducts research in the field of preventing serious violent crimes. Together with the German Police University, they developed the "Risk Analysis Instrument for Intimicides" (GaTe-RAI). The goal: to better recognize warning signs to prevent lethal violence against women.

As a rule, killing occurs in the course of a separation

"As a rule, the person is killed in the course of a separation," says Stürmer. The blame lies with a Archaic possessiveness. "At the core of it all are patriarchal structures, the power imbalance in relationships, and this kind of possessiveness: 'My partner belongs to me. I can make decisions about her. She is not authorized to leave the relationship.'"

Because these men often kill brutally, it is commonly assumed that the crime is an act of passion or a "crime of passion." However, in practice, it turns out that the crimes are usually planned. The decision to commit the crime often matures when The perpetrator realizes that the separation is irreversible. Important triggers could be the divorce date or moving out of the shared apartment.

The joint project made it clear that "leaking" can be a warning sign of femicide. Leaking refers to perpetrators letting their murderous fantasies or corresponding plans leak out in advance. "The moment such a plan leaves the family circle and other people also find out about it, This is an important warning signal that that an act could actually take place,” said Rebecca Bondü.

What other warning signs are there and what can victims do to prevent it? Possible risk factors and warning signs

• Perpetrators are often middle-aged men, the relationship has been going on for a long time
• The relationship does not take place on an equal footing, but is characterized by subordination and superordination
• Control behavior
• Isolation of the partner
• Strong jealousy
• Stalking
• Gun ownership
• Alcohol addiction
• Perpetrator has few friends
• Physical violence is used in relationship conflicts
• Perpetrator speaks of or makes preparations for suicide
• Untypical, strong social withdrawal of the perpetrator
• Rapidly changing symptoms of mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, or paranoia
• Life-threatening assaults such as strangulation
• "Murder with announcement": Sentences like "If you leave me, I'll kill you"
• "Leaking": When not only the partner but also third parties have been informed that an act may be imminent

• Take warning signals seriously
• Document violence and threats . Documenting the attacks makes it easier to obtain court orders.
• Overcoming shame, creating transparency, and raising awareness. It's not easy to come out about relationship problems. But saying, "I'm being stalked. My husband is violent, my husband threatens me. I'm afraid of my husband," can be crucial for one's survival. Only by communicating warning signs can you build a supportive social network.
• Avoid the risk of a final confrontation . A confrontation is often the perpetrator's last attempt to prevent a breakup. Some even carry a weapon, says Stürmer, because they've mentally prepared themselves for the idea: If I can't change their mind, I'll kill them.
• Make an appointment with the police . Domestic violence officers can provide counseling, process criminal complaints, and initiate emergency response measures, such as referral to women's shelters.
• File a report. As part of the report, a risk assessment and a protection plan can be developed, and in extreme cases, even a new identity. Often, even a simple threat assessment is effective, conveying to the potential perpetrator: "You'll go to prison for 15 years. By the time you get out, you'll be a broken man," says Stürmer from experience, adding: "These are often authoritarian types. It can be helpful if they realize that they are not the authority, but the state."
• After the breakup. If threatened by your ex-partner at your new place of residence, give your phone number to the local police so that the patrol can immediately respond to a call. If possible, find a safe place—an indoor bathroom or a boiler room—that you can go to if the perpetrator breaks into your apartment.

The "Violence Against Women" helpline provides advice on all forms of violence – 24/7 and free of charge – at 116 016 and online at hilfetelefon.de . Counseling is anonymous, confidential, accessible, and available in 18 foreign languages. Upon request, the counselors can refer you to a local support facility. Friends, relatives, and professionals can also contact the "Violence Against Women" helpline.

And what can those around them do who are aware of the dangerous situation? Approach the victim and talk with them, advises Uwe Stürmer. And encourage the woman to seek help and file a report. "Victims must be encouraged to leave the relationship and make it public. Because the moment you make it public, the perpetrator has a problem." If necessary, even go to the police yourself and tell them what you know. Rebecca Bondü confirms: "It's always good when people who know something pass it on to the police. The most important thing is to make what's happening public ."

Brigitte

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