Social compensation for victims of violent crime
Since January 1, 2024, the 14th German Social Code (SGB XIV) has regulated compensation for victims of violent crime, replacing the previous Victims Compensation Act (OEG). The new regulation brings comprehensive improvements for those affected and their relatives.
Persons who have suffered damage to their health as a result of an intentional, unlawful act of violence may be entitled to benefits. In addition to the victims themselves, surviving dependants such as widows and widowers as well as children and parents may also receive benefits.
The benefits are calculated according to the extent and severity of the consequences of the injury as well as the respective needs and are made up of various individual benefits (cash and non-cash benefits).
The authorities responsible for implementation in North Rhine-Westphalia are the two regional associations Rhineland and Westphalia-Lippe.
Find quick help
The quick help services include, among other thingsAmong other things, an information hotline for those affected and access to the trauma outpatient clinics.
The information hotline for victims of violent crime and their relatives can be reached at 0800-654 654 6 free of charge from Monday to Thursday from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm and from 2 pm to 3:30 pm. On Fridays, the hotline is staffed from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
After an act of violence, it is important to get psychological help quickly. Trauma outpatient clinicsare clinics that are particularly competent in dealing with psychological injuries. This is where those affected receive advice and therapeutic care. You can find the trauma outpatient clinicsin your area at www.lvr.de.
Application procedure:
Applications under SGB XIV can be submitted to the regional associations in NRW:
In order to make the application process clearer and easier to understand, affected persons can take advantage of the support of case managers at both regional associations.
As part of the application processing, the facts of the case are clarified by the case managers of the regional associations carrying out investigations, consulting medical documents or interviewing witnesses. The applicant must provide all necessary information for this and, as far as possible, contribute to clarifying the facts of the case.