Violence against men
To date, boys and men only have a selective support infrastructure and hardly any reliable knowledge about the extent of violence against them. Nevertheless, it is clear that male victims experience violence, for example in childhood, on the street, in institutions or in partnerships. Violence against men (especially domestic violence) receives little social attention and is often concealed by those affected out of fear and often a sense of shame.
According to the Federal Criminal Police Office's situation report, 29,5 % of those affected by domestic violence are male. .But also physical abuse in childhood, Violencein public spaces, sexualized violence, bullying, stalking, forced marriage or violence related to discrimination - the state government of North Rhine-Westphalia is taking a comprehensive look at violence against boys and men.
Help hotline for violence against men
As the first building blocks for establishing a support structure for male victims, the state government of North Rhine-Westphalia, together with the state of Bavaria, has launched the "Gewalt an Männern" ("Violence against men") helpline.
The telephone number 0800 123 99 00 men can contact us, who are affected by various types of violence - such as domestic and sexualized violence, but also stalking or forced marriage, for example. Those affected can also find information on the website www.maennerhilfetelefon.de a digital counseling service.
Violence protection apartments for men
Since May 2020, the state government has also been funding apartments for men affected by violence. The offer is aimed at adult men and, if necessary, their children who are experiencing acute domestic violence or have experienced it in the recent past. Men who are at risk of forced marriage or family intimidation, for example, can also find protection. It enables the men affected to escape the cycle of violence, maintain their psychological and physical integrity in the future, stabilize themselves and develop prospects for the future.
Find help quickly
For detailed information on the topic of violence against men, please visit the website of the Ministry of Equality of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.
Find the right advice center near you quickly and easily! Click on the button below to start your search.