Where can I get advice?

Specialist counseling centers offer support for those experiencing violence, regardless of whether the incident is recent or occurred some time ago, and regardless of the form in which the victims experienced violence. Counseling is free and can be provided anonymously upon request. Women's counseling centers provide counseling for female victims, and there are also counseling centers for men and queer victims.

Specialist counseling centers are also open to relatives or the social environment of affected women and girls. Professional supporters, such as teachers, can also contact specialist counseling centers.

Women's counseling services support women affected by violence in processing their experiences and protect them from further violence. Furthermore, counseling aims to empower women affected by violence to assert their rights.

Some specialized counseling centers also provide counseling for children affected by violence. Children are also considered affected if they witness violence against a parent. Some receive counseling at home or via mobile services.

At special child intervention centers, children can arrange their own counseling appointments and receive support. Sometimes there are also children's groups for experiences of domestic violence, where children can talk about their experiences and concerns with peers under professional supervision.

Intervention centers offer counseling and support to women affected by violence after a police intervention due to domestic violence. Counseling can also take place in the victims' homes. Many intervention centers also provide counseling for children or young people who are also affected. However, intervention centers are not available in every municipality.

The nationwide helpline “Violence against Women” is available day and night at the number 116 016 Free and anonymous access is available. Trained counselors offer initial counseling in 18 different languages for victims of violence and their families. The services are explained on the website in sign language and easy-to-understand language. If necessary, the counselors can provide contacts to local women's shelters and specialized counseling centers.

Those affected can also receive online counseling via email or chat via the website www.hilfetelefon.de. Online counseling is also available abroad, but the toll-free number can only be reached from Germany.

With our women's shelter search at www.fh-suche.de, you can find counseling centers in a specific region. You can filter your search by various criteria, such as those with accessible facilities.

To search for women's shelters and counseling centers