How can people with disabilities in integration assistance facilities be effectively protected from violence? What structural changes are necessary and possible? Those affected, experts and supervisory authorities addressed this topic at the "Preventing and protecting against violence" symposium at Fachhochschule Dortmund.
The abuses recorded by an undercover reporting team in a workshop for people with disabilities caused outrage across Germany in 2017. Harassment, pressure and physical violence were documented. The facility in question took action, as did the state government in North Rhine-Westphalia. For the first time in a federal state, NRW will have a list of criteria with which home supervisors will regularly inspect integration assistance facilities. Is this enough to effectively protect those affected?
This was discussed by those affected, service providers, supervisory authorities and experts at the "Violence prevention and protection" symposium. More than 220 guests accepted the invitation from Prof. Dr. Michael Boecker from the Faculty of Applied Social Studies(Opens in a new tab) and Dr. Michael Weber, Managing Director of the Heilpädagogisches Zentrum Krefeld, to the Fachhochschule Dortmund. "It's a very moving topic," says Prof. Boecker, referring to the large number of registrations. The symposium served as a forum for open discussion. Because even though protection against violence is a high priority in workshops in NRW and protection concepts and further training measures are part of everyday practice, workshop managers are constantly encountering new challenges in their daily work. "This essentially depends on two factors: Time and space," says Michael Boecker.
Retreats are necessary
Not all facilities offer the necessary retreats to meet the needs of people with disabilities, even in confrontational situations. There is also a lack of staff. "The pressure on employees is great," says Michael Boecker. At the same time, the workshops are also commercial enterprises. Employees lack time for those affected, but also for reflection. "A manual for quality management on the shelf will not solve these challenges," emphasizes the social scientist.
By continuing the dialog, Prof. Boecker and Dr. Weber would like to accompany the changing demands on integration assistance facilities and jointly develop approaches for structural adjustments. Representatives of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia praised the direct exchange with those affected, employees and service providers at Fachhochschule Dortmund and want to continue the constructive dialog.
Prof. Michael Boecker, Dr.
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