Reinforced safeguards for victims through fresh tracking agreements
In a bid to empower victims of violence and enhance the legal certainty for those affected, the state of Baden-Württemberg has taken significant strides in expanding its walk in clinic and offering court-admissible, anonymous, and free trace evidence.
Minister Manne Lucha has emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating that it provides victims with the security to report crimes at any time, knowing that the evidence will not be irretrievably lost.
The walk in clinic, located at universities in Freiburg, Heidelberg, Ulm, and Stuttgart, offer independent trace evidence. Persons who have suffered injuries as a result of violent events, accidents, or where the securing of traces could contribute to clarification, can be examined. The clinics can be reached at the following numbers:
- Heidelberg: 0152 54648393
- Ulm: 0731 50065009
- Freiburg: 0761 27081889
- Stuttgart: 0152 56783333
Prof. Dr. Sebastian Kunz and Prof. Dr. Annette Thierauf-Emberger, among others, have welcomed this development, emphasizing that easy access to expert consultation, care, and legally admissible documentation of injuries is the foundation of increased legal certainty for victims of violence.
The operation of the minute clinic has been funded by the Ministry of Social Affairs since their inception, with approximately one million euros allocated in 2024. The agreements aim to strengthen the offer of independent trace evidence in Baden-Württemberg and reinforce victim protection.
In 2023, the first contract was concluded with the University Hospital Heidelberg, and Minister Lucha has now signed the contracts with the University Hospitals in Freiburg and Ulm. For insured persons, the respective health insurance company covers the costs of trace evidence, which is done confidentially.
Johannes Bauernfeind, Chairman of the Board of the AOK Baden-Württemberg, has stated that the additional locations of minute clinic in Ulm and Freiburg offer victims of domestic violence, sexual assaults, or other crimes a free, confidential, and legally admissible evidence preservation.
Court-admissible securing of evidence enables the conviction of perpetrators at a later date and gives victims of rape, sexual violence, or abuse the option not to decide immediately after an incident whether or not to file a criminal complaint. This initiative is a significant step towards ensuring that victims of violence in Baden-Württemberg have the support they need to seek justice and reclaim their lives.
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