taz: Ms. Clemm, the recently published dark field study is astonishing with one result: women and men are said to experience almost the same amount of violence within relationships. Does this correspond to your experience as a family law specialist?
Christina Clemm: I find the study weak on this point. Because in addition to this insight, it also speaks of significant differences in the intensity of the violence: the severity of the Violence that happens to women is significantly higher than in men. If you read the study more closely, you cannot say that men and women are affected almost equally. Comparing the absolute numbers provides little information. I would like to know what attempted homicides are like, whether and when the crimes increase, and how dangerous they were.
taz: So is the study inaccurate at this point?
Clemm: Yes, and if I’m honest, it leaves me with some unanswered questions: For example, how could the safety of the women who took part in the surveys and are still in their relationships be guaranteed? If I had a abusive husband at home, I would do the devil and report it. Even with a digital questionnaire, I would always have to be afraid that my husband would find out about it. Also the question of who and how violently Violence against men exercise remains unanswered.
taz: Are you thinking about homosexual couples?
Clemm: Exactly. The survey shows that queer people are affected by all forms of violence significantly more often than the rest of the population. I cannot understand why a distinction was not made between the genders at this point. I can hardly imagine that examining gay and lesbian couples separately would not produce different results. But can I tell you what I find really interesting about the study?
taz: Please!
Clemm: The level of violence. It’s shocking and fighting it should finally be a top priority. But it’s also interesting that we always assumed that it was more taboo for men to talk about experiencing violence than it is for women. However, the study now shows the opposite: men are more willing to report sexual assaults, for example. That really surprised me.
Men can apparently place more trust in government institutions than women. This should really give politicians something to think about.
Christina Clemm, lawyer
taz: What conclusions do you draw from this finding?
Clemm: Men can apparently place more trust in government institutions than women. This should really give politicians something to think about: What prevents women from contacting the investigative authorities?
taz: Of course it would be better if there were no cases that needed to be reported…
Clemm: Of course, at the end of the day, we don’t have to do a better job of condemning crimes, we have to prevent them. If this concern is taken seriously, massive investments should actually be made in preventive measures. But the state’s answer here is often zero: How can it be that the topic of domestic violence still hasn’t made it into the curricula? There is a lot to think about after this study.