Domestic violence takes many different forms, ranging from humiliation, insult, threat and intimidation to psychological, physical and sexual abuse or deprivation of liberty.

What should you do if you are the victim of domestic violence?

• If you are in acute danger, call the police immediately (110). The police laws of the Länder provide for various powers which may be used. For instance, they allow the police to ban the offender from entering or approaching your home. The respective powers are governed by the police law of your Land. Different terms are used to describe them (e.g. ban from a residence, ban on/requirement of being present in a certain location/ ban from entering a residence/ban on returning to a residence, ban on approaching/seeking the proximity of a person/contact ban).
• Report the criminal offence to the police. Hand over any clothing or other items that may have traces of the offender over to the police so they can secure evidence.
• Make a detailed note of any domestic violence incidents. Date, time, who did what?
• Obtain medical certificates confirming any injuries you may have sustained. Generally, all medical practices and hospital doctors will issue such certificates following an examination. Victims of sexualised or physical violence can have their visible injuries forensically documented at so-called outpatient clinics dedicated to the protection against violence – anonymously if they prefer. However, this does not mean that you automatically have to file a criminal complaint. Here you can find an overview of facilities for anonymous securing of evidence.

• What is most important: Get help. There are a multitude of possibilities to obtain support, such as:

  • The nationwide distress helpline for violence against women is available 24/7 and 365 days a year under the number 08000 116 016 or online, and provides confidential support free of charge. Due to current developments, the “Violence against Women Support Hotline“ has expanded its language range so that women affected by violence can now also find support in Ukrainian. Their assistance is provided barrier-free in German and is now availaible in 18 additional languages.
  • Moreover, victim support organisations (which can be found through the service locator) provide assistance locally. Specialised counselling services can also be found through the federal association of rape crisis centres and women’s counselling centres (only in german).
  • On its website, the “Stronger than Violence” initiative provides a wide range of information on the topic of violence and lists contact persons who provide support or advice.
• In some cases, it may be necessary to temporarily go to a safe place. The website frauenhauskoordinierung.de provides an overview of all women's shelters and support services.
• In addition, victims of violence can move for judicial protection orders under the Act on Protection against Violence, for example imposing a ban on contacting and approaching the victim or assigning the victim the previously common residence for sole use (“the violent one has to go”). You can find more information on this here as well as in the brochure entitled “Greater Protection in Cases of Domestic Violence”.

More information

Anyone who has suffered damage to their health as the result of a violent crime is entitled to help under the Victims Compensation Act. More information on this issue can be found here.

Having actually experienced domestic violence often places a heavy psychological burden on the victims. Information and contact details can be found here and in the Online Database for Victims of Crime.

You can find information on how to file a criminal complaint here. If criminal proceedings are instituted, you can find relevant information here.

If you move into a shelter for protection against domestic violence, such as a women’s shelter, your registration authority is obliged to impose a disclosure ban on its own initiative when you register. This means that information from the civil register may be disclosed to third parties only if, after you have been heard, it is determined that any risk can be excluded.

In addition to support by counselling services, it may sometimes be advisable to seek advice from a lawyer.