The act of Idar-Oberstein shook and shook many people. How can the growing propensity for violence be stopped? The criminologist Britta Bannenberg shows ways.
Idar-Oberstein / Gießen – The fatal attack on a gas station cashier in Idar-Oberstein is not a surprising act, according to criminologist Britta Bannenberg.
“For years we have had an increase in the potential for aggression, extremism and a willingness to use violence,” said the professor from the University of Giessen to the German Press Agency. This was initially expressed in the willingness to use violence against officials of all kinds such as police officers, emergency services, employees of job centers and mayors.
“The climate has become rougher overall and many are feeling it,” said Bannenberg, who has also been researching crime prevention for years. “There is a noticeable resentment against society, and the Corona measures ignite a lot. But they are not the cause. ”To focus only on corona deniers now is too one-sided. “It’s wider.”
Initiation of criminal proceedings is often sufficient
Objectivity and consistent prosecution are important, said Bannenberg. This also applies to the statements on the Internet in which acts like those of Idar-Oberstein are praised or called for imitation. The criminal code provides for the possibility of criminal prosecution. “It is often enough to initiate criminal proceedings that the screamers did not expect, even if this is discontinued in return for a fine,” said Bannenberg. It is also good that the police take action, “with those who ride the wave as imitators”.
But the citizens themselves also have a certain responsibility: “How does the information that a person is threatening or expressing himself or herself come to the police?” Asked the legal scholar. “The population has a lot more knowledge of who is really weird,” she reported from her experience and conversations with worried people in the “Amok Prevention” advisory network.
This has nothing to do with denouncing. When you talk to such concerned people, you can also come up with concepts. Since 2016 there has been no amoctation by a young perpetrator in Germany. “But more action by adults.”
Inhibition of going to the police
“Many people are extremely reluctant to share a threat they already perceive, a fear they have of a certain person, with colleagues or neighbors – or to go one step further and go to the police,” reported Bannenberg . “If people are really worried that someone in their environment could develop threateningly, this usually does not happen through a single utterance. It is the behavior, the social withdrawal, something noticeable of resentment against everyone and everyone, an excessive frustration and the threat and announcement of a serious act of violence. “
Many would still be afraid of being stupid or wrong. “But it also requires that the police deal objectively and seriously with people who utter such threats – and not get rid of them at the station.”
Bannenberg also sees business owners, entrepreneurs and authority management as an obligation to talk to their employees about protective measures and concepts or to train them. “Many who stand there individually at the checkout are certainly wondering whether they will still do that in the future.” The staff in smaller facilities such as fitness studios are also under a lot of pressure from the regulatory authorities to comply with the corona rules respect, think highly of.
A bus driver should also rather quietly notify the police, “and not only because the man is not wearing the mask, but because he acted aggressively, even through body language,” said Bannenberg. “Do not put yourself in unnecessary danger, it can end badly if solidarity is not possible because you are on your own somewhere.”
The population wants to “ensure the rules”
Attempts must also be made to push back the hateful comments on the Internet, said Bannenberg. “If it then shifts into smaller circles, you can accept that. It makes a difference whether hate mail is visible for a long time in a large, accessible community or whether it is visible in a smaller Telegram channel. “
However, such restrictions were not enough. “As a society, we also have to become more sensitive to these things overall.” Poster campaigns with positive messages that emphasize cohesion “usually do not reach the more extreme, but for the majority this means that the rules are reassured”.
“It’s hard to get to someone who’s really crazy,” said Bannenberg. “But there is always a broader mass that is undecided as to whether it will let itself be carried away by the aggressive or whether it will get back to the groundwork.” what the majority of society does not want, namely this aggression and these acts of violence or even an increase in assassinations ”. This could be discussed in the media. “But politicians and officials must also set an example in a certain function.” Dpa
