Violence against women

Violence against women and girls occurs at all levels of society and has many faces.

Whether physical,emotional, economic or domestic violence in marriage and partnerships, sexual assault and rape, harassment, cyber violence or stalking, human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation, forced marriage or genital mutilation - women seeking help in North Rhine-Westphalia have access to special protection and advice services for all forms of violence.

Victims, their relatives, acquaintances and professionals receive free and, if desired, anonymous information on victim protection and criminal prosecution as well as contacts to support facilities and contact points.

The latest LKA report shows that violence against women and girls is increasing significantly. The state government of North Rhine-Westphalia relies on a strong support structure for prevention, protection and support. Women and girls affected by violence can seek protection and receive advice and help in numerous state-funded facilities.

Through the Women's Info-Network against violence inNorth Rhine-Westphalia, women affected by violence can seek protection or get advice and help in numerous state-funded facilities:

• 70 women's shelters offer women with children refuge, professional advice and support to help them continue to shape their lives independently.

• 62 general women's advice centers provide psychosocial individual or group counselling in difficult problem and conflict situations, especially after suffering violence.

• 57 specialist counselling centres against sexualized violence provide women and girls with acute crisis intervention, psychological counselling and support from doctors, police and courts after suffering sexualized violence.

• 8 specialized counselling centres for victims of human trafficking take care of those affected and also provide safe accommodation if they are willing to testify against the traffickers.

• 2 specialized counselling centres against forced marriage advise victims and their confidants anonymously and in several languages. Social workers who are professionally involved in the topic can also contact these advice centers.

• A nationwide specialist center for violence prevention and protection for girls and young women with disabilities/chronic illnesses, "Mädchen - sicher - inklusiv" ("Girls - safe - inclusive") at the Mädchenhaus Bielefeld offers online counseling and supports affected girls and young women.counseling and supports affected girls and young women, among other things by providing tailored counseling services and referrals to specific support and assistance services.

On this victim protection portal, you have the option of searching directly for women's shelters and advice centers in your area.

Detailed information on the topics of protection & Support for women and the numerous offers of help for those affected can be found on the website of the Ministry of Equality of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.

The initiative "Stärker als Violence" of the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth raises awareness about forms of violence and calls on people to stand up against violence and help those affected.