Shelter

Protection and safety for women affected by violence and their children are the most important concerns.

Women's shelters and refuges offer women affected by violence and their children a safe and secret place to stay. They also find help, counselling, support or referrals to further help from staff and have the space to plan their safety, recover, reorganise their lives and consider how they can move forward.

You can leave the shelter at any time.

Women's shelters and refuges are available to women who are acutely affected or threatened by physical, psychological, sexualised or economic violence. It does not matter whether you have been beaten, insulted or threatened, whether you have experienced rape or have been denied access to money. Protection in a women's shelter or refuge exists regardless of age, origin, residence status, language, financial situation, religion, sexual orientation and gender identity.

Unfortunately, very few women's refuges and shelters are barrier-free or have low-barrier facilities. Carers or assistance do not always have access to a shelter. There may also be age restrictions for older male children. However, the staff at the women's shelters will try to find the right help and support for you.

Women's shelters and refuges can also be used if you are subject to a residence obligation in the asylum procedure or later a residence requirement (see chapter on victims' rights).

They offer:

• Accommodation and safety day and night.
• Psychosocial counselling (also with language mediation).
• Counselling on financial issues, safety planning and measures.
• Support with practical life issues, applications, finding accommodation etc.
• Support for the children.
• Referral to further help services (legal advice, health care, child protection, etc.).
• Accompaniment to institutions and authorities if required.
• Group programmes and leisure activities for women and children.

Users decide for themselves which services they want to take advantage of. Services may vary from centre to centre, but the overall aim is to create a safe and supportive environment.

Counselling is available both before admission to a women's shelter or refuge and after the stay.

The staff at the women's shelters and refuges work together with various organisations, e.g. advice centres, job centres, youth welfare offices, law enforcement agencies, doctors, lawyers and others, to ensure that women receive comprehensive support.

For reasons of protection, the addresses of women's refuges and shelters are not published. You can use search engines on the Internet, for example, to find a shelter and then contact them by phone or e-mail. The employee will then clarify all important questions with you. If admission is possible, a meeting point will be arranged with you from where you will be picked up.

Other women are referred by friends, acquaintances, colleagues and family. In some cases, institutions also make contact, for example the police, public authorities, counselling centres or healthcare facilities.

Unfortunately, not all federal states offer free accommodation in a protection facility. The staff will inform you whether you would need to pay anything yourself or whether you can apply for cost sharing in accordance with the Social Security Code (SGB). However, do not hesitate to contact them. Your protection is the top priority.

Search for a shelter or refuge:

ZIF (Central information page of autonomous women's shelters)

Frauenhauskoordinierung (Coordination of women's shelters)

You may not be able to find a free place at the moment, but your personal protection is the most important thing.

Do not hesitate to contact a women's shelter or refuge, a counselling centre or the helpline. The staff will support you in finding a way to bridge the gap.

Also consider the following options:

• If you have already called the police, the police can support you with accommodation.
• You may want to consider a shelter that has a vacancy but is a little further away.
• If you have physical injuries or mental health problems, you could also go to a central emergency room/rescue centre. Many hospitals offer short-term hospitalisation in cases of domestic violence in order to arrange further help.
• You may have friends, colleagues or parents you can go to temporarily until there is a free place. Please note, however, that you could be searched for there.
• Of course, you could also leave your city for a few days, rent a hotel room and organise everything else from there.

In Germany, there are a growing number of shelters for men who are affected by domestic violence and are seeking protection and help.

You can find information at: Männergewaltschutz