Various agencies support victims of domestic violence – mostly confidential and free of charge. People around victims can also seek help.
In an emergency: Alert the police (tel. 112).
A trained professional is available day and night to answer calls to the victim support hotline: Tel. 031 533 03 03 / from June 2026 Tel. 142. Victims and their children can find refuge in shelters / women's refuges.
More emergency numbers are listed here.
The victim support advice centres (Opferhilfe-Beratungsstellen) advise and inform people who experience violence in their families. This help is free of charge. Victims can plan their next steps together with the specialist.
Victim support counselling centres are available during office hours. Outside these hours, the victim support hotline provides assistance.
The employees are subject to confidentiality. This means that they are not allowed to inform anyone about the discussions. Not even the police.
Women's shelters offer temporary protection, accommodation and counselling to women and children in need. Admission is arranged via victim support services, victim support hotlines or the police. The location of the shelters is secret. Admission is via the victim support counselling centre, victim support hotline or police. Men can also seek protection in this way.
