When it comes to domestic violence, the victims are usually looked at and asked how they can protect themselves. But what about the perpetrators? Interview with someone who accompanies violent men – and knows what it takes for them to take responsibility.
Interviewed by
Simon Sales Prado
While it’s not a new problem, the pandemic has also increased the number of victims of domestic violence. And even if the topic has gained in visibility in recent years, the focus is often on the victims. But what about the perpetrators? Christof Furtwängler has been working with them for decades – now also in the Diakonie in Weilheim. The expert from the “Domestic Violence Perpetrator Work Unit” works with the perpetrators in group and individual formats to develop strategies to put an end to the violence, develop empathy with the victims and avoid a relapse. In an interview, he explains how violence comes about, how society has changed dealing with the phenomenon and why working with offenders also means protecting victims.