Magdeburg (dpa/sa) - Saxony-Anhalt is funding two anonymous shelters for those affected by forced marriage and honor-related violence. In this way, high-risk clients of the relevant Vera department should be better protected. Secretary of State for Social Affairs Susi Möbbeck (SPD) presented the specialist agency against trafficking in women, forced marriages and honor-related violence, which is supported by the Awo state association, on Monday with a funding decision of 389,500 euros, as the ministry announced. The money will also be used to expand prevention work.
In the two shelters, women and their children should be taken in quickly in acute crisis situations. So far there is no such facility in Central Germany. The women are safe in the accommodation and receive the necessary anonymity, and their living situation is also recognized, it said. There they could then reorient themselves for the rest of their lives. The protection concept is specifically geared to the special psychological stresses on women.
According to the information, the number of cases has increased since the Vera department was founded 22 years ago. In 2010, 16 clients turned to the counseling center, compared to 100 last year. In 70 percent of the cases, it was about forced marriage and honor-related violence.
