[Protection from violence for people in need of care : Practical findings and implications of the research project "Care as a risk"].

BACKGROUND

Violence in caregiving settings is a complex and increasingly prevalent issue, rooted in both structural and individual factors. To date, systematic analyses of police responses to such cases have been largely absent.

OBJECTIVE

This study explores which risk factors and offense patterns are associated with abuse in care as well as the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies. The aim is to identify actionable strategies for improving the handling of violence in caregiving contexts.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

The research is based on an analysis of 106 documented cases and 64 expert interviews across multiple disciplines. The findings were further discussed in interdisciplinary workshops to develop practical solutions for enhancing protection of care-dependent individuals. Various limitations reduce the significance and generalizability of the findings.

RESULTS

Most victims were female (69%) with an average age of 80 years and equally represented in home and institutional care. In 73% of cases the perpetrators were professional caregivers. The offenses primarily involved physical violence and unlawful deprivation of liberty. The case dismissal rate was 89%, often due to limited testimonial capacity and insufficient legal documentation. Police procedures were optimized and the interdisciplinary network violence-free care was established.

CONCLUSION

Key insights of the network emphasize the need for cross-sectoral collaboration, ongoing awareness training and professional development. The network advocates clear reporting pathways, targeted protective services and structured case management for vulnerable care recipients.