FHK expert information: Prevention – sustainably counteracting gender-based violence | No. 01/2023

Berlin, May 22, 2023. Current research estimates the annual costs of gender-based violence in Germany at several billion euros (see FHK information sheet, Prof. Sylvia Sacco, p. 21). With its information sheet "Prevention – Counteracting Gender-Based Violence Sustainably," the Women's Shelter Coordination Association (FHK) examines the necessity and prerequisites for sustainable prevention, as well as existing approaches in Germany and abroad. Germany committed itself to the comprehensive prevention of violence against women and girls with the Istanbul Convention in 2018. Nevertheless, there remains a significant lack of long-term, nationwide measures. A decrease in gender-based violence has not been observed.

“We cannot afford to cut corners on the prevention of violence against women and girls – neither socially nor financially,” explains Christiane Völz, Chair of the Board of FHK. “Nevertheless, Germany is content to invest in prevention only sporadically at best.” The Council of Europe recently concluded that Germany has “neither a strategic framework nor common principles and goals for prevention work.”

Furthermore, preventive measures often only begin after violence has already occurred—for example, in the form of perpetrator work or high-risk management. However, experiences of violence and boundary violations are increasingly becoming a normal part of women's lives at an early age, especially online. Even elementary school-aged girls receive images with sexualized content without their consent (see FHK specialist information, interview p. 32).

"Prevention must therefore begin where it can still have a preventative effect and reach as many people as possible as early as possible – in schools, daycare centers, and teacher training. Role models and structures that encourage violence must also be addressed more prominently in public," Völz demands. "This is the most sustainable protection against violence we can provide. What we invest today in evidence-based, professionally informed prevention will save us many times over later in the subsequent costs of violence against women and girls."

The FHK specialist information brings together numerous articles from experts in academia and practice and is available online free of charge below. The corresponding press release is also available for download there.