The exhibition is the result of three art therapy workshops at the Börde Women's Refuge, which were accompanied by art therapist Jeannette Reupke from Flechtingen over a period of three years. During these workshops, 15 impressive works were created that reflect the feelings of the women. Through colours and shapes, fear, doubt, but also hope become visible - emotions that women feel when they leave a violent relationship.
Ramona Dieckmann, an employee of the Börde women's refuge, guided District Administrator Martin Stichnoth through the exhibition. Matthias Urban, head of the Caritas department, equal opportunities officer Katja Klommhaus and art therapist Jeannette Reupke were also present at the small opening event in the foyer of the district hall on Tuesday and reminded the audience that domestic violence is an everyday phenomenon that often takes place in secret. The number of victims is constantly increasing.
The women's shelter is a protection and crisis facility that offers women affected by violence and their children safe accommodation, counselling and support - around the clock. Here, women find protection, help and the space to come to terms with the consequences of violence and to develop a non-violent future perspective. However, the help on offer is restricted by the limited space and staffing resources of women's shelters.
There are currently around 7,000 places in around 400 women's shelters in Germany - which is far too few. The Council of Europe's Istanbul Convention on combating violence against women recommends 21,000 places, three times as many as are currently available. Germany is therefore falling well short of this target.
Interested parties still have the opportunity to visit the exhibition at the Haldensleben District Office until 21 March.