Red benches in Ostallgäu: A strong sign against domestic violence!

Red benches in Ostallgäu: A strong sign against domestic violence!

The Ostallgäu district is sending a new signal against domestic violence with an impressive campaign: from September 22, 2025, five eye-catching red benches will be set up here. These initiatives aim to raise awareness of the issue, which often takes place in secret, and to make it easier for those affected to access help. Cities such as Marktoberdorf, Kaufbeuren and Obergünzburg, along with other places, are part of this project, which was initiated by the equal opportunities offices of the district and the city of Kaufbeuren wir-sind-kaufbeuren.de reported.

The inauguration of the first bank took place on September 22nd in Marktoberdorf in front of the Sparkasse, followed by further events in Obergünzburg and Kaufbeuren, where, among others, Mayor Stefan Bosse was present. The last two benches will be inaugurated on September 25th and 26th in Buchloe and Füssen in order to achieve broad publicity for this important topic.

A sign against silence

The campaign's concern is underlined by the remarkable number of registered cases of domestic violence: from 133 cases in 2020, the number rose to 153 in 2024. Women and children are often affected, who are often caught in a vicious circle of fear and isolation. The benches are intended to serve as visible signs to break the taboo of domestic violence and to encourage people, as Merkur reports. At the benches, those affected have access to important contact details and an emergency number (08341-9993227), which can be reached around the clock.

Katja Mann, the director of the Kaufbeuren/Ostallgäu women's shelter, which recently celebrated its 30th anniversary, emphasizes that the places in the women's shelter are almost constantly occupied. This year places were made available there for five women with children. The red benches are not only intended to draw attention to the problem, but also to ensure that offers of help are noticed and used. At the inaugurations, specialists from the emergency hotline and advice center for domestic violence as well as the women's shelter will be on site and available for discussions.

Community support

The benches that should remain empty symbolize the gaps left by the affected people. This campaign is supported by various sponsors, including Sparkasse Allgäu and Raiffeisenbank im Allgäuer Land. Those responsible, including District Administrator Maria Rita Zinnecker and Kaufbeuren's second mayor Wolfgang Hannig, are expressing their firm will to bring the issue of domestic violence to the public and to give those affected a voice.

In a society where studies show one in three women are victims of domestic violence, it is essential that we stand together as a community and raise awareness of this issue. The red benches are a step in the right direction and remind us that each and every one of us is asked to look and act.