Cutting-edge security measures replace confidential location: new domestic violence center unveiled in Fürth
A New Era in Domestic Violence Protection: The Open Women's Shelter in Fürth
Fürth, Germany, is home to a groundbreaking domestic violence protection center, located at 11 Schirmstraße. This innovative shelter, with its known address and state-of-the-art security system, marks a departure from the traditional approach of secret locations for women's shelters[1].
Mayor Dr. Thomas Jung and District Administrator Bernd Obst, among others, emphasized the importance of the center in their speeches during the official opening. The building, a historic ensemble dating back to the 18th century, has been meticulously restored to serve as a welcoming home and a secure refuge[2].
The new center, a model for Bavaria, integrates protection, prevention, and counseling services under one roof, offering victims not only safety but also comprehensive support[3]. It represents a balance between openness and high security, addressing the demand for accessible and high-quality care.
Unlike earlier shelters, which were often hidden on city outskirts, Fürth's shelter uses modern technology to ensure safety while maintaining a visible, central location. This enhances its role as a place of hope and new beginnings for victims of domestic violence[3].
The initiative is supported by a cooperation between municipalities and sponsoring associations, and aligns with the Bavarian State Ministry for Family, Work, and Social Affairs' push for improved domestic violence protection, consistent with the new Violence Protection Act in Bavaria[1][3].
The ensemble consists of several buildings, including a barrier-free house, a separate children's house, two residential houses, and an administrative building with counseling services. The center can accommodate up to ten women and 14 children[4].
Director Eva Göttlein emphasized in her opening speech that social media, GPS data, and surveillance software make it difficult to protect shelters with secret addresses. The center's key innovation is that it is a women's shelter with a known address, a departure from the longstanding practice of keeping women's shelters secret[5].
State Minister Ulrike Scharf described the center as an important building block in the fight against domestic violence. She emphasized the need for a comprehensive support system, especially in view of the new Violence Protection Act to be implemented in Bavaria by 2027[6].
The 1st Chairwoman of the sponsoring association, Regina Vogt-Heeren, recalled the beginnings of the Fürth women's shelter. Alone in the last year, 168 women seeking protection had to be turned away, highlighting the need for such a center[7]. The project was planned over several years and implemented with the support of numerous crafts businesses, involving more than 250 people[8].
The center's owners, Dr. Andreas Striezel and Dr. Gisela Bolbecher, have transformed the historic ensemble into a home with a protective function. A state-of-the-art security system has been invested in, including two entrance locks, video surveillance, grilles on the ground floor, and a chip system[2].
The new women's shelter in Fürth not only serves as a landmark in Bavaria’s fight against domestic violence but also sets a case study for future shelters with a balanced emphasis on security, openness, and quality of life for women in need[3][1].
[1] Bayerischer Rundfunk [2] Fürther Nachrichten [3] Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung [4] Stadt Fürth [5] Sueddeutsche Zeitung [6] WDR [7] Bayerischer Rundfunk [8] Stadt Fürth
- In a revolutionary move for protection centers, the open women's shelter in Fürth, Germany, located at 11 Schirmstraße, is pioneering a new approach in domestic violence protection by merging mental-health services with health-and-wellness, science, and other supportive resources under one roof.
- The open women's shelter in Fürth, a model for Bavaria, represents a unique blend of modern technology, openness, and high security, becoming a beacon of hope and new beginnings in mental-health care for victims of domestic violence.
