What support is available for children?

Children and young people can be brought to the women's shelter. Many children have directly or indirectly witnessed violence at home. They need peace, protection, and opportunities to process and talk about their experiences.

Women's shelters often offer living units or larger rooms for mothers with children. Most women's shelters also have a children's play area, an outdoor area with a playground, and staff dedicated to supporting the children. They also offer advice on childcare, parenting, or developmental issues and assist with finding a daycare or school place.

Some women's shelters don't accept boys over the age of 12 to 14. You can use the women's shelter search to filter for women's shelters that accept boys over the age of 14.

Mothers are also responsible for caring for their children in the women's and children's shelter. Regular childcare allows them to attend administrative appointments, run errands, and attend counseling appointments without their children.

The staff also frequently organize homework help, children's groups or meetings, and vacation and leisure programs for the children living in the house. They support the children and young people in their needs and concerns.

Getting to know other children who have experienced similar things and making new friends can be a great relief for them. In many women's and children's shelters, the children also receive counseling and age-appropriate protection and support.

If possible, the following items should be brought to the women’s shelter:

• ID cards or passports
• Health insurance cards, vaccination certificate, yellow preventive care booklet
• Birth certificates, marriage certificates, family registers
• Benefit notices, working papers
• Child benefit number
• Bank statements for the last three months
• Urgently needed medication
• School supplies for schoolchildren, report cards
• For babies, special food may be required for a few days
• Clothes for 2-3 weeks
• Personal items from your home that are dear to you (photos, jewelry)

But even without these things, you can be admitted to a women's shelter.