"Obstacles to Acts of Violence"
In a significant stride towards fostering trust and dialogue, the Düsseldorf Police, led by Thorsten Fleiß, Director of the Directorate of Danger Prevention/Deployment, has emphasised the importance of exchange in addressing domestic violence, particularly within Muslim communities.
Last week, a joint workshop titled "Strengthen Trust - Enable Dialogue" was held in Düsseldorf, marking a significant milestone in the project known as "DIALOGisch." Although specific details about the "DIALOGisch" project were not readily available, the workshop provided valuable insights into the general approaches and considerations that might be relevant to such a project.
Building trust is a critical component of projects like "DIALOGisch." Dialogue formats, such as workshops, community meetings, or one-on-one interviews, facilitate open communication between stakeholders, enabling participants to share their experiences and concerns.
Cultural sensitivity is paramount when focusing on Muslim women, who may face unique challenges and barriers in reporting domestic violence, such as fear of reprisal or stigma within their community. Demonstrating empathy and understanding towards their experiences is key. This can be achieved by training police officers to be more sensitive to these issues and by establishing safe spaces where women feel comfortable sharing their stories.
Collaboration with community leaders and organisations that support Muslim women can also be beneficial. They can help facilitate dialogue and provide critical insights into how to address domestic violence effectively within these communities.
Similar projects have shown that dialogue-based interventions can significantly improve trust by fostering a sense of community and understanding between law enforcement and the public. Culturally tailored approaches are more effective in addressing the unique needs and concerns of specific communities. Long-term engagement is crucial for sustaining trust and ensuring that efforts are not just temporary measures.
The dialogue program is set to be piloted in Düsseldorf next year. The workshop discussions focused on practical questions such as target-group-specific communication of support services, integrating culturally and religiously sensitive approaches, and building trust. The Bergische University Wuppertal is scientifically accompanying the "DIALOGisch" project, and the insights gained in the workshop will be systematically evaluated and incorporated into the dialogue program's concept.
The project aims to develop a culturally and religiously sensitive dialogue format for increasing trust in the police regarding domestic violence cases, with a particular focus on the experiences of Muslim women. The workshop discussed central challenges surrounding domestic violence and aimed to provide perspectives for culturally and religiously sensitive policing. Experts from the city's protection and support system participated in the workshop, and the evaluation and incorporation of workshop insights will occur concretely, on-site, and in exchange with those who work daily with those affected.
Dr. Tim Lukas, head of the research group in the field of Population Protection, Disaster Relief, and Object Security at the Bergische University Wuppertal, emphasises the importance of practical results for strengthening trust in the police. This innovative approach in Düsseldorf could pave the way for similar initiatives across Germany, fostering a more inclusive and understanding approach to addressing domestic violence.
- The importance of exchange in addressing domestic violence, particularly within Muslim communities, has been highlighted by the Düsseldorf Police.
- The "DIALOGisch" project, which aims to develop a culturally and religiously sensitive dialogue format for increasing trust in the police regarding domestic violence cases, is scientifically accompanied by the Bergische University Wuppertal.
- Dialogue-based interventions can significantly improve trust by fostering a sense of community and understanding between law enforcement and the public, as demonstrated by similar projects.
- In the field of health-and-wellness and mental-health, it's crucial to address unique challenges faced by Muslim women when reporting domestic violence, such as fear of reprisal or stigma, and establish safe spaces for them to share their experiences.
