"Obstacles to Acts of Aggression" or "Preventive Measures for Violent Incidents"
In Düsseldorf, a significant milestone has been reached with the joint workshop titled "Strengthen Trust - Enable Dialogue." This event marks the beginning of a project aimed at developing a culturally and religiously sensitive dialogue format to increase trust in the police regarding domestic violence cases involving Muslim women.
The workshop, which took place at the heart of the city, brought together experts from the local protection and support system. Dr. Tim Lukas, head of the research group in the field of Population Protection, Disaster Relief, and Object Security at Bergische University Wuppertal, emphasised the importance of practical insights for strengthening trust in the police.
The discussions during the workshop focused on the specific experiences of Muslim women. Practical questions such as targeted information dissemination on support services, integrating culturally and religiously sensitive approaches, and building trust were at the forefront. The central challenges surrounding domestic violence were also a key topic of conversation.
Thorsten Fleiß, head of the Düsseldorf Police's Directorate of Hazard Prevention/Deployment, underscored the importance of exchange in addressing domestic violence. The project aims to further develop work in the best interests of those affected by domestic violence.
Recent incidents have highlighted the vulnerability of Muslim women to intersecting forms of violence involving gender, religion, and ethnicity. In Germany, Muslim women—especially those wearing the hijab—face an increased risk of violence, including both racist/Islamophobic attacks and domestic violence. Activists emphasise the importance of recognising the combined impact of racism, Islamophobia, and gender-based violence on Muslim women.
While there are ongoing discussions in Düsseldorf and other German cities about issues affecting Muslims, including efforts by Muslim activists and imams to address radicalism and promote gender equality within religious frameworks, no specific programs on culturally and religiously sensitive police dialogue formats for handling domestic violence cases involving Muslim women have been documented.
As Germany experiences domestic violence at record highs, with women being the main victims, the need for targeted dialogue formats and police practices tailored to Muslim women's cultural and religious sensitivities is increasingly apparent. The insights gained from the workshop will be systematically evaluated and incorporated into the dialogue program's concept.
The dialogue program, which is scientifically being accompanied by Bergische University Wuppertal, is set to be piloted in Düsseldorf next year. The ultimate goal is to strengthen trust in the police concretely, on-site, and through exchange, with the aim of creating a safer environment for all women in the city.
- The dialogues held at the workshop in Düsseldorf emphasized the essential role of health-and-wellness initiatives, particularly mental health, in addressing the unique challenges faced by Muslim women involved in domestic violence cases.
- As the project moves forward, developments in science, particularly in the area of general-news and crime-and-justice, will be crucial in creating a culturally and religiously sensitive dialogue format that ensures the safety and wellbeing of Muslim women.
- The joint workshop in Düsseldorf also highlighted the need for continued discourse and cooperation between health-and-wellness experts, mental health professionals, and law enforcement officials to foster a city that promotes freedom from both mental health issues and physical violence.
