Under the motto “We break the silence” and with the hashtag #breaksilence, the helpline on people to take a stand against violence against women.

Violence in close social areas

The social space is a protected area in which everyone expects safety, security and trust. Everyone can retreat there and gain strength. If this habitat is violated, it can have serious psychological and physical consequences for those affected.

Around a third of all women have been victims of relationship violence. But men are also exposed to violence in relationships. This occurs across all income, education and age levels. Many of those affected blame themselves or see no way to end the relationship. Sometimes children are also affected by violence between parents.

#breaksilence

Domestic violence and crimes in close social areas often go unrecognized. Victims remain silent out of shame, helplessness and feelings of guilt. Attacks are often downplayed or kept secret by the victim for fear of further acts of violence.

Violence in the social sphere must neither be concealed nor trivialized as a problem , because the private sphere is not a legal vacuum either. Human dignity remains a person's most important fundamental right, even in marriage and family or other living and living communities, in nursing homes or homes.

It doesn't matter how old people are and what relationship they have to each other. The right to physical integrity also applies behind the apartment door. This is why it is particularly important for victims to take advantage of counseling services.

Help with violence in relationships

  • Contact the police on 110, especially in an acute threat situation. The police have to protect you and can expel perpetrators from your apartment for several days.
  • Always have any possible injuries documented by doctors.
  • Get professional help, for example from local advice centers. The free helpline “Violence against Women” on 08000 116 016 and via online advice supports those affected around the clock, 365 days a year and in several languages.
  • Apply to the court for a protection order under the Violence Protection Act. The court can usually expel the violent perpetrator from the shared apartment for six months, even if he is the tenant or owner.
  • The court can also issue orders prohibiting the perpetrator from approaching you against your will, calling you, contacting you, etc. This also protects you outside of your home.
  • If your partner threatens you with violence, contact the police.
  • As a victim of violence, you have rights that protect you. Further information can be found here .

If you witness domestic violence

  • Don't look away. In an acute situation, make others (neighbors, acquaintances, friends) aware of the violence.
  • Offer your support to victims.
  • As a relative, friend or neighbor, you can get advice anonymously and free of charge on the “Violence Against Women” helpline on 08000 116 016.
  • In acute threatening situations, contact the police on 110. If necessary, make yourself available as a witness.

Tips for migrants with residence status in Germany

Crimes against partners occur in all social classes, nationalities and religions. Migrants, especially non-EU citizens, are often reluctant to contact the police if they are exposed to family violence. For many, family is the center of their lives. In addition, their residence status sometimes depends on their spouse, for example because they are in Germany as part of family reunification.

  • Don't let this stop you from calling the police if your partner hits you or your children.
  • If the police evict your violent partner from the apartment or you run away to a friend's house, your marriage is not automatically dissolved. This means you won’t lose your residence status! 
  • You have your own right of residence if you have lived married in Germany for at least three years.
  • If you have not been married for three years and live in Germany, you can also obtain your own right of residence. This is possible if the violence in the family is particularly severe.
  • Get advice on the “Violence against Women” helpline on 08000 116 016. Here you will receive support by telephone and online in many languages, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Relatives, acquaintances and friends as well as specialists also receive advice anonymously and free of charge.

Action #breaksilence

Under the motto “We break the silence,” the helpline invites you to join in. A visible signal against violence against women can be sent nationwide by using the hashtag #breaksilence.

Patron Lisa Paus, Federal Minister for Family, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth on the action: “What we as politicians, as people in society, can do against violence against women: continue to be loud, continue to bring the issue to the public – and that Break silence. You too can take part in the #breakthesilence campaign!”

Source:

Police-Beratung.de , Hilfetelefon.de

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