Violence protection clinic as a contact point for victims of domestic violence

Since April 2024, the Violence Protection Clinic (GSA) has been operating at the Bremen-Mitte Hospital. It expands the existing services for victims of violence in Bremen and provides, for the first time, dedicated facilities for examinations and counseling. In addition to existing services for minors who have experienced violence and women who have experienced sexual violence, the clinic now also offers a point of contact for victims of domestic violence – the largest group of violence victims.

Largest measure for the implementation of the Istanbul Convention

Claudia Bernhard, Senator for Health, Women and Consumer Protection: “The Violence Protection Clinic at Bremen-Mitte Hospital is the largest measure in Bremen's state action plan for implementing the Istanbul Convention, and I am very pleased that we can open this urgently needed facility today. Its work will facilitate prosecution and guide victims to support services. This statewide service will be available to everyone in the state of Bremen in the future and will be gradually expanded. Thanks to the increased funding, we were able to allocate sufficient financial resources in the current two-year budget to secure the operation of the Violence Protection Clinic for the time being. However, sustainable funding – beyond the current two-year budget – remains essential, and I will continue to advocate strongly for this.”

Gesundheit Nord takes on a responsible task

“With the establishment of the Violence Protection Clinic at Bremen-Mitte Hospital, Gesundheit Nord is taking on a very responsible task,” says Dr. Dorothea Dreizehnter, Chair of the Management Board. As a municipal company, they want to be there for everyone in Bremen who needs medical help and support, and this applies especially to people in dire need and distress. The Violence Protection Clinic will be headed by Dr. Saskia Etzold, a highly experienced specialist in forensic medicine. She previously helped establish and co-manage the Violence Protection Clinic at Charité Hospital in Berlin for many years and is now employed by Gesundheit Nord at Bremen-Mitte Hospital.

Documentation is also possible without display

"The main task of the violence protection clinic is to document the incident and the resulting injuries in writing and with photographs, and to secure this documentation for potential legal proceedings or compensation claims," ​​explains Dr. Saskia Etzold. This can also be done confidentially, meaning without filing a police report. The documentation is then stored in a secure location and kept for up to ten years, allowing victims to decide to file a report at a later date. "We want to provide victims with a safe space and the opportunity to prove the violence they have suffered," says Etzold. Furthermore, there is the option of receiving further counseling in a calm and comfortable atmosphere.

Confidential evidence collection, information on the support system, training

The Senator for Health, Women, and Consumer Protection has concluded an agreement with health insurance companies in Bremen regarding confidential evidence collection in cases of domestic and sexual violence, ensuring coverage of the costs. This makes Bremen the third German state where these costs are covered by health insurance. In addition to documenting injuries and providing information on other support services, the Violence Protection Clinic also conducts training sessions and collaborates closely with other clinics in the state of Bremen. A cooperation agreement regarding confidential evidence collection will be established with Bremerhaven. Furthermore, in serious cases, the Violence Protection Clinic will send its mobile team to other clinics in Bremen and offer consultative support.

Medical care is provided by the emergency room

Medical treatment for the injuries will continue to take place in the emergency room of Bremen-Mitte Hospital. Saskia Etzold will work closely with the emergency room's medical and nursing team. She will also collaborate with the child protection team at the Prof. Hess Parent-Child Center, led by Dr. Kerstin Porrath and Ole Gehrmann, who care for all victims of child endangerment and child abuse. A further close connection exists with the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, whose trained team, under the responsibility of Katrin Griesbach, examines women after sexual violence and secures evidence, even if they present themselves outside the opening hours of the violence protection clinic.

The project, funded by the health authority, is the largest measure in Bremen's state action plan "Implementing the Istanbul Convention – Protecting Women and Children from Violence." A total of over €1.2 million has been allocated for the first four years of the development phase, which began in 2022. The Istanbul Convention is an international treaty of the Council of Europe on preventing and combating violence against women. Germany ratified this treaty in 2017. Since then, new services have been created and existing ones expanded throughout the state.

 
Source: The Senator for Health, Women and Consumer Protection, Press Release , April 4, 2024