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Orange benches draw attention to violence against women - Pupils from Oscar Walcker School take part in Ludwigsburg district campaign

The district of Ludwigsburg is setting an example against violence against women with a special campaign: orange benches are being installed throughout the district this year. They are intended to draw attention to the fact that one in three women in Germany is affected by physical and/or sexual violence. That is more than 12 million women. Nationwide, however, only around 20 percent of women make use of existing counseling services. The "Orange bench against violence against women" campaign aims to change this.

A diverse group of individuals stands and sits around a bright orange bench with a message against violence towards women, displaying the slogan "#schweigenbrechen" (break the silence). The setting appears to be a community center or workshop space, emphasizing solidarity and advocacy.

At the presentation of the orange benches: Karin Stark, project manager in the Equal Opportunities Department of the District Office (7th from left), First State Official Jürgen Vogt (9th from left), on the right from left: Principal Sabine Haveneth, Cynthia Schönau, project manager and equal opportunities officer at the district administration office, and Claudio Lecciso from the board of the Safe District Association, as well as teachers and pupils from Oscar Walcker School.

Pupils from the Oscar Walcker School in Ludwigsburg have presented three orange benches they designed at their school. Interested parties can borrow these benches for a certain period of time. They round off the campaign, in which the initiators are setting up permanent orange benches throughout the district.

Verein Sicherer Landkreis Ludwigsburg supports campaign

First District Officer Jürgen Vogt praised the commitment of the pupils and the support of the district campaign by the Safe District Association: "We want our district to be safe for everyone - at home, at work, in their free time and in public spaces - regardless of gender and time of day. By putting up the orange benches, the topic is taken out of the taboo zone." Claudio Lecciso from the board of the Sicherer Landkreis association added: "The vast majority of victims of crimes against sexual self-determination in the district and in the area of domestic violence/partner violence are female. Prevention and education - before something happens - are the best measures." And principal Sabine Haveneth emphasizes: "Everyone is called upon to put a stop to gender-specific violence. Even if women have to avoid certain places, routes or situations in order to avoid harassment or threats, this is still a form of violence."

Both the permanently installed benches and the so-called change benches have a plaque with information about the local support system. The bench also invites people to talk about violence against women, which is still a taboo subject in society. The bench can be new or an existing bench can be painted orange. The district provides the matching plaques with the logo of the person placing the bench and information about the help system free of charge.

The benches designed by the students in AVdual classes 1 and 4 will be installed on the school campus after the campaign year. AVdual (dual training preparation) is a one-year full-time school for young people without an apprenticeship. The three benches were financed by the Verein Sicherer Landkreis Ludwigsburg.

13 municipalities in the district are taking part in the campaign

A total of 13 municipalities in the district are participating in the campaign alongside other organizations. Participation is open to all interested parties such as companies, educational institutions, youth centres, authorities, clubs and other organizations. The installation dates and locations of the benches and the associated activities as well as all other information such as registration, (participatory) offers and the accompanying program can be found at www.landkreis-ludwigsburg.de/orangebank, for example the free lecture by the police headquarters "Safe on the road" or the workshop by the association Frauen für Frauen "Gewaltig verliebt!?" for schools. Also on offer is the "Walk for Freedom" on October 18 or the creation of an emergency folding card in the event of violence against people with disabilities. Participation is also possible by posting the number of the nationwide help hotline or the teaser with the help points on the homepage of your own organization.

Color of the benches refers to UN campaign "Orange the World"

The color "orange" was chosen for the benches because the existing UN campaign "Orange the world" has been drawing attention to violence against women since 1991.

The campaign is run by the district's Equal Opportunities Office with Equal Opportunities Officer Cynthia Schönau and her team colleague Karin Stark. The district is supported by the "Round Table against Domestic Violence in the City and District of Ludwigsburg", the Ludwigsburg Police Headquarters, the "Safe District" association and numerous advice centres as well as committed district municipalities, educational institutions and organizations.