Sexualized violence can occur anywhere: in public spaces, school/university/work or in the private sphere. It can mean:
- You are touched without consent
- You are called sayings or insults
- Someone takes unasked pictures of you or stares at you.
- Someone masturbates in front of you without consent
- You are shown naked body parts without consent, or pictures are sent of them
- Physical violence is inflicted on you
- You are urged to perform sexual acts - e.g. kissing - even though you do not want to.
- Stealthing (the condom is removed without consent during sex)
- You are raped
This is all (sexualized) violence and it doesn't matter if it is done by strangers, friends, partners or family members. It is wrong and you have the right to defend yourself.
If you have experienced violence or feel uncomfortable about certain situations, it can help to talk to someone about it - trusted people or anonymous counseling centers (see below). Counseling centers are there to listen to you and take you seriously. They should assess the situation with you and help you deal with it. They can also show you ways to defend yourself and give you information about legal steps - e.g. filing a complaint.
If you have experienced a physical assault, it may be useful to see a doctor to check your health and to make a medical record of what happened. This is important for going to court, for example. But only do what you feel comfortable with. It is your right to be examined by a same-sex doctor.
If you have experienced violence in the health system, you can contact your health insurance company.
This message is meant to be forwarded and kept.
The following numbers can be reached from Germany. If you call from abroad, you have to dial +49 as area code. Note that only the counseling centers where languages have been specified can certainly speak other languages.
| Institution | Number/Website | brief description |
|---|---|---|
| Violence against women helpline | 08000 116 016 always available Website | Offer of the Federal Office for Family and Civil Society Tasks. Languages: DEUTSCH, ENGLISH, FRANÇAIS, ESPAÑOL, ITALIANO, PORTUGUÊS, TÜRKÇE, KURMANCÎ, ROMÂNĂ, POLSKI, РУССКИЙ, SHQIP, БЪЛГАРСКИ, SRPSKI, TIẾNG VIỆT, УКРАЇНСЬКИЙ, 中文, فارسى/دری عربي |
| Helpline Sexual Abuse | 0800 22 55 530 Mon, Wed, Fri: 9am - 2pm Tue, Thu: 3pm - 8pm Website | Offer from the Independent Child Sexual Abuse Commissioner (UBSKM). Various offers of help are listed on an interactive map on the website. A special focus is on sexualized violence against children and young people and adults who were victims of sexualized violence in their childhood / youth. |
| Hilfe Telefon berta | 0800 30 50 750 Tue: 6pm - 9pm Wed: 9am - 12pm Fri: 9am - 12pm Website | Counseling in cases of organized sexualized and ritual violence. (Cooperation of several perpetrator/perpetrator networks in the case of systematic use of sexualized violence against children, adolescents and adults) |
| Helpline violence against men | 0800 1239900 Mon - Thu: 8am to 8pm Fri: 8am - 3pm Website | Offer through cooperation of Baden Württemberg, Bavaria & North Rhine-Westphalia of a support structure for men affected by domestic violence. |
| Weisser Ring | 116 006 daily 7am - 10pm Website | Non-profit association for the support of victims of crime and the prevention of crime. Help and support for victims after a crime. Also offers on-site support. |
| gewaltfreileben | 069 43 00 5233 Tue, Wed, Thu: 2pm - 6pm in situation of crisis: 0151 25049749 Sat, Sun: 6pm - 9pm Website | The counseling center "gewaltfreileben" (Living free of violence) primarily addresses lesbians, trans* persons and queer people of all ages. |
| magnus hirschfeld centrum | afternoon / evening (depending on consulting hotline) Website: | On the website there is a gay counseling, lesbian counseling, trans* counseling, migration and flight and legal counseling.Languages: Deutsch, English, عربي, برای ساخت For individual phone numbers and opening hours, see website |
| basis-praevent | 040 39 84 26 62 If you leave a message, they will call you back within 24 hours on weekdays. Website | basis-praevent is a specialized counseling center for boys* and men* who have experienced sexual violence/sexual abuse. |
| Way home phone | 030 12074182 daily 8pm - 12am Fri, Sat: 8pm - 3am Website | for the way home in the dark. |