Violence in care

The physically weak and elderly people in care are particularly at risk of becoming victims of violence, and violence in care can occur in the home as well as in outpatient or inpatient care.

This includes neglect of people in need of care, but also abuse of all kinds.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), violence against older people is defined as a single or repeated act or failure to respond appropriately in a relationship of trust that causes harm or suffering to a person.

Violence in care settings can take many forms:

• Neglect such as being left alone
• Lack of hygiene and care
• Physical abuse such as hitting, shaking, touching too hard
• Mental abuse such as being forced to rest in bed, verbal abuse, intimidation or threats
• Fixation
• Administration of sedatives
• Intimate violence
• Financial exploitation
• Assaults among the care recipients themselves
  

Advisory and inspection authority under the Housing and Participation Act

Older people and people in need of care as well as people with disabilities, who live in care facilities require special protection. In North Rhine-Westphalia, the inspection of care and residential facilities by the home supervisory authority is regulated by the Housing and Participation Act. The purpose of the law is to protect the dignity, rights and needs of caregivers and to create positive framework conditions for care and nursing staff.

The Housing and Participation Act (WTG) and the implementing ordinance (WTG-DVO) regulate the requirements for minimum standards in terms of staffing and the requirements for specialist staff. The regulatory requirements of the WTG and the WTG-DVO also include regulations on the quality of living in the facilities as well as the participation and co-determination of people in need of care.

Compliance with the minimum legal requirements is monitored by the districts and independent cities. In order to fulfill the statutory inspection mandate, the facilities are regularly visited by the employees of the home supervisory authority. In the event of problems or complaints, caregivers or their relatives can also contact the responsible local authority directly. The exact address of the authority responsible for a particular facility is stated in the care home contract.

Here are contact persons for complaints from residents and relatives.

Finding help quickly

The following websites provide information on what violence in care can look like and what those affected and their relatives can do to prevent it: