Regina-Maria Dackweiler’s research while affiliated with RheinMain University of Applied Sciences and other places

Up until now, in the Federal Republic of Germany, little attention has been paid to domestic violence experienced in the partnerships of senior citizens, both in the public eye, in terms of state action, as well as in specialised psychosocial services. The elderly women and men in question form a heterogeneous group, who have until now, found it difficult to access existing intervention and support systems, or are barely accommodated by them. Current research findings and action programmes pinpoint the need for low-threshold support services. The research project has been examining the question of whether volunteer guides in the senior/health/integration area can reach this target group more effectively, and make it easier for those affected to access the help system in a low-threshold aid setting. Based on insights gleaned from 17 qualitative expert interviews and three focus group discussions with volunteer guides and in cooperation with three local partners, training has been developed that should provide the guides with knowledge of domestic violence and information about the support system. While the guides are showing great interest in tackling the problem, the assessments of the professionals range from approval, scepticism and reservations to rejection.

In der Bundesrepublik Deutschland nahm die auch als „Kopftuchstreit“ bezeichnete Debatte über das Tragen eines kopf- bzw. haarbedeckenden Tuches gläubiger Muslima am Arbeitsplatz seinen Ausgang vom Kopftuchverbot im Schuldienst verschiedener Bundesländer im Anschluss an das Urteil des Bundesverfassungsgerichts im Rechtsstreit zwischen der muslimischen Lehrerin Feresheta Ludin und dem Oberlandesschulamt Stuttgart aus dem Jahr 2003. Seit nunmehr annähernd 20 Jahren haben sich Rechts-, Sozial- und Kulturwissenschaftler_innen sowie Journalist_innen und Politiker_innen aller Parteien hoch kontrovers mit dieser von muslimischen Frauen in der Öffentlichkeit getragenen Kopfbedeckung auseinandergesetzt.