Tanja K. mourns her daughter Johanna K., murdered by a colleague two years ago, as she advocates against violence toward women on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The rising statistics of domestic violence in Germany highlight a growing crisis. Tanja, who regularly visits her daughter’s grave, found strength during the trial of Johanna’s killer, celebrating a verdict that, while not restoring her daughter, offers a sense of justice and hope for the future.
A Mother’s Unending Grief and Call to Action
Two years have passed since the tragic murder of Johanna K. by a colleague, leaving her mother, Tanja K., in a state of profound sorrow. On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, she seeks to shine a spotlight on the critical issue of violence against women.
Tanja will forever remember that fateful day, November 9, 2022. The sound of the elevator arriving at the fourth floor was quickly followed by the chilling sight of two police officers and an emergency chaplain at her door. It was in that moment she instinctively knew that something dreadful had occurred. “I just started screaming. The horror of that moment is etched in my memory. I will never forget it,” recalls the 47-year-old mother. The officers informed her that her daughter had tragically passed away, but no further details were provided at that time.
Rising Violence Against Women
The perpetrator was a fellow employee who had subjected Johanna to hours of horrific abuse before taking her life. As the police asked Tanja numerous questions, she struggled to grasp the reality of the situation. “When a detective mentioned homicide, I was in disbelief. I said, no, that can’t be true, not my Johanna. Then I returned home with an emergency chaplain, holding a card from the White Ring, and I just sat there in silence,” she recounts.
Tanja’s thoughts of Johanna are constant. Nearly every day, she visits her daughter’s grave, finding solace there. “This is where I feel closest to Johanna. I wish I could hold her in my arms, but this place is sacred to me,” she expresses. Unfortunately, the issue of violence against women is escalating in Germany. The recent report “Gender-Specific Crimes Against Women 2023,” presented by Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser, reveals alarming statistics: 180,715 women were victims of domestic violence in 2023, reflecting a 5.6% increase from the previous year.
As public buildings across the country are illuminated in orange to raise awareness, the action alliance Orange Days Cologne has created 155 pairs of orange shoes in downtown Cologne. Each pair symbolizes a woman lost to domestic violence in the previous year.
Magret Schnetgöke from the FrauenLeben counseling center emphasizes the growing need for support services. “The numbers have been rising for years, and we know this is just the tip of the iceberg. Many women never report their experiences,” she explains. The demand for counseling is overwhelming, resulting in reduced session lengths to accommodate more women.
Johanna and her murderer worked at St. Rochus Hospital in Telgte, and after his arrest, Tanja faced the trial with trepidation. “I knew I would have to confront the man who took my daughter’s life, and it was terrifying,” she says. However, as the trial progressed, Tanja’s bravery grew. “I looked at the perpetrator, and I felt stronger. In that moment, I felt as if 20 Johannas were with me, giving me strength,” she reflects.
The verdict brought a wave of relief. “When the sentence was announced, I screamed in joy. That tension we had been holding onto just vanished, and we embraced each other in happiness for the justice that was served,” she remembers. Although this verdict cannot bring Johanna back, it offers Tanja a sense of justice and the strength to support her other son through this difficult time.