Violence
Physical violence
Legal definitions:
- dangerous bodily harm (StGB § 224)
- maltreatment of a ward (StGB § 225)
- serious bodily harm (StGB § 226)
- bodily injury resulting in death (StGB § 227)
- negligent bodily injury (StGB § 229)
- participation in a brawl (StGB § 231)
Psychological violence
Psychological violence, in contrast to physical violence, targets the thoughts and feelings and can harm the victims on a psychological level. Moreover, it is invisible and therefore often underestimated or not perceived. It can manifest itself in verbal and non-verbal communication, for example, in the form of coercion, slander, insults, unpleasant presence or harassment. This form of violence, like all other forms, can also occur in combination with other forms of violence. It also includes threats of other forms of violence.
Sexualised violence
Sexualised violence is understood to be gender-related behaviour and actions that are discriminatory, insulting or humiliating in sexual terms and violate the dignity of the person concerned. Acts such as blackmailing or forcing sexual relations, physical threats and physical assaults, sexual coercion and rape are offences under criminal law. A particularly serious form of sexualised harassment and violence occurs when a relationship of dependency is exploited at the workplace or during studies by persons with managerial or supervisory responsibilities by promising or threatening direct or subtle references to a link between the fulfilment of sexual demands and personal or professional advantages or disadvantage.
Economic and social violence
This form of violence aims to inflict economic harm on those affected, such as by restricting access to financial resources, education or the labour market, failing to meet economic responsibilities or causing damage to property. This includes, for example, abuse of the power of disposal over financial resources or unilateral concealment of income and assets.
Structural violence
Structural violence includes social, economic or cultural structures and conditions that disadvantage individuals or groups of people. This includes all forms of discrimination, such as the unequal distribution of income and resources, educational opportunities and life expectancy.
Digital violence
Digital violence includes a variety of forms of attacks aimed at denigration, damage to reputation, social isolation and the coercion or blackmail of certain behaviour on the part of those affected. In addition, there are sometimes targeted threats and threats of serious criminal offences against those affected.