#DasIstGewalt
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Stop violence against women* and girls*!
Every third woman in Germany experiences violence at least once in her life. Women* and girls* with disabilities are even more frequently affected by violence. The violence can vary in intensity. In the worst case, it can lead to death.
It often happens at home, exactly where you should feel safe. It is often perpetrated by people you trust. Women* and girls* also experience violence at work, at school, on the street and online.
But violence does not begin with a black eye
Women* and girls* affected need help – and understanding
Have you ever noticed that your friend, your sister, a neighbour or a colleague is not feeling well? Has she perhaps told you that it is difficult at home, with her partner, at school or at work?
Many women* and girls* who experience violence find it difficult to confide in someone. There can be many reasons for this. They blame themselves for what happened once or on many occasions. Or feel dependent on their job or partner and endure harassment at work or insults from their partner. The reason can also be a feeling of powerlessness – meaning that the person doesn’t have the strength to get out of the situation or doesn’t know how. Many people also see “the good sides” of their partner and legitimise the violence that is done to them. When he says it will never happen again, they want to believe his promises. Or they feel ashamed that they could not defend themselves.
You shouldn’t judge those affected for this – they have their reasons for it.
Other women* and girls* report that they are afraid to seek help because they fear that their situation will only get worse or that they will not be believed. Mothers are often afraid that their children will be taken away from them or that their family will break up. And migrant women* could fear losing their residence permit in the event of separation. There are many reasons that prevent those affected from seeking help.
This makes it all the more important to offer help. Very gently and respectfully.
You should proceed in such a way that you do not endanger the person concerned. This is because the risk increases for the person affected, especially in the event of a separation.
This is how you can help women* and girls* affected:
Offer your help. In private, in a safe place.
Take her seriously.
Show her that you are there for her.
If she does not want to talk, accept that.
Encourage her to accept professional help.
Do not judge her behaviour. She has a reason for it.
In case of violence or acute danger, call the police on 110!
Important: Take care of yourself too! It can take a lot of strength to help those affected and it can be stressful to hear terrible stories. It is often difficult to assess how dangerous a situation is. It is important to refer the affected person to professional advice centres. The staff there know what to look out for and how they can provide support.
If you are unsure or it is getting too much for you, you can also get professional help yourself. The above-mentioned advice centres not only advise women* and girls* who have experienced violence, but also you as a supporter.
#ThisIsViolence
Violence can be very different and we encounter it everywhere.
Have you ever been slapped in the face?
Anyone who intentionally hits, kicks or pushes you is causing you physical violence. Even “just” a slap in the face is bodily (physical) violence and a criminal offense.
Does your father, brother, boyfriend or husband shout at you, intimidate you or threaten you? Does he put you down and tell you it’s your fault?
This is called psychological or emotional violence. You can’t see this form of violence from the outside because you don’t have any injuries on your body, but your emotional state is hurt. Psychological and emotional violence comes in many forms: insults, mocking and exposing to the point of threatening and blackmailing, or being disparaging, creating feelings of guilt or punishing with the withdrawal of love.
Does your roommate, your partner, a stranger touch you, kiss you, pressure you into having sex even though you don’t want to?
If you don’t feel like someone touching your body or having sex, for example, that’s ok. And if someone still tries to persuade you to do it or forces you to do it, that is absolutely not ok. That is sexualised violence. This does not only begin when someone forces you to perform sexual acts. As soon as they don’t accept your “no” it is violence. It doesn’t matter whether you consented at the beginning.
Is your boss, classmate or friend making sexual innuendos or sending you dick pics?
That is also sexualised violence. Sexual gestures, unwanted intrusive approaches and secret photos under your skirt are also included. As well as unsolicited emails, WhatsApp messages, DMs with sexual content such as photos of genitals. All of this is not ok and can be reported.
Does your partner or boyfriend decide what you should wear or who you meet up with?
If you are of legal age and your partner controls you and doesn’t let you live freely, it becomes violence. Control can be violence if your boyfriend is constantly sending you WhatsApp messages and asking when you are coming home. Even if he tells you what clothes you should wear or who you should meet up with, that is violence. You have the right to decide who you go out with and when.
Is your ex-partner constantly standing at your door and ringing the doorbell?
You and your ex-boyfriend or ex-husband are separated, but does he keep calling even though you don’t want him to? Or does he appear unannounced at your door, waiting for you on the street? This can be a form of stalking. Stalking is when someone intensely harasses, follows and threatens you over a long period of time. Love letters, flowers or gifts that you don’t even want can also be stalking. Or if they call you at work, harass you on social media, threaten you or claim that you have done things you have never done – all of this can be stalking.
Does your partner control what you spend money on? Or doesn’t let you have your own money?
We all need money to live. When your husband, boyfriend, or ex-partner controls your finances, it’s called financial violence. For example, if you are not allowed to have your own money. Or your husband controls your spending. Or if your ex-husband stops paying you child support if you don’t do what he says. He has the money and can dictate how you live by giving you or not giving you money. That is violence.
Does your partner want you all to himself? Are you not allowed to leave the house?
If your partner doesn’t want you to socialise or go out alone, he is isolating you. This is also a form of violence that often occurs in partner or domestic violence. You are a free person and can meet up with others and leave your home as often as you like. It’s not okay if someone prevents you from doing so.
Does your family choose a husband for you even though you don’t want that?
In a forced marriage, women* and girls* are pressurised, threatened or even physically abused to get married. This is a serious violation of personal rights and is punishable by law.
Are you oppressed and controlled or forced to do something to protect the “honour” of the family?
If your family forbids you to do certain things or controls your life, or if they force you to behave in a certain way because they want to preserve “family honour”, then that is oppression and a form of violence. But it can also take forms of physical and sexual violence, including forced marriages and, in the worst cases, murder.
Have you heard your family talking about Thara, Mekhnishab or Ibi?
These words are used in some languages to refer to female genital mutilation (FGM_C). This refers to the removal of the clitoris, and in some cases also the inner and outer vulval lips, as well as the additional narrowing of the vaginal opening. Other non-medically justified injuries to the female genitalia also constitute genital mutilation. Female genital mutilation can have a variety of long-term and short-term consequences, from menstrual disorders to incontinence and complications during childbirth to death. Female genital mutilation is prohibited in Germany.
Are you forced to beg, steal, work or have sex for money?
If you have to prostitute yourself and are forced to have sex with others for money, then that is violence and human trafficking. If you are forced to work for little or no pay, for example in catering, care or as a cleaner, and if you are not allowed to stop, then this is exploitation and human trafficking. Human trafficking is a serious human rights violation.
Violence can affect us all.
No matter how old we are or where we come from. It is important to remember: it’s never our fault or yours! Whoever uses violence is to blame!
It is your right to live without violence.
Are you experiencing violence? You can get help here!
BIG Hotline
Als telefonische Anlaufstelle bietet die BIG Hotline Beratung, Unterstützung, Vermittlung von freien Schutzunterkünften sowie eine mobile Beratung und Begleitung an. Neben den betroffenen Frauen können sich auch Personen aus deren privatem und sozialem Umfeld sowie Behörden, soziale Einrichtungen und Institutionen melden. Die Beratung ist auf Wunsch anonym und kann mit Sprachmittlung erfolgen..
Hilfetelefon
Bundesweites 24/7 Beratungsangebot für Frauen, die Gewalt erlebt haben oder noch erleben. Telefonisch und via Online-Beratung können Betroffene beraten werden – alle Nationalitäten, mit und ohne Behinderung, 365 Tage im Jahr, rund um die Uhr. Auch Angehörige, Freundinnen und Freunde sowie Fachkräfte werden anonym und kostenfrei beraten.
LARA Fachstelle gegen sexualisierte Gewalt an Frauen*
In Berlin bietet die Fachstelle gegen sexualisierte Gewalt an Frauen* LARA werktags von 9-18 Uhr Beratung und Krisenintervention für Frauen, die von sexueller Gewalt betroffen sind.
Fuggerstr. 19, 10777 Berlin
Further offers of help
Berliner Notdienst Kinderschutz
Für Kinder, die in der Regel Zeugen und damit Opfer der Gewalt sind, gibt es beim Kindernotdienst eine eigene Notrufnummer.
Jugend- und Mädchennotdienst
BIG Clearingstelle
Über die BIG Hotline kann auch die BIG Clearingstelle erreicht werden. Die Clearingstelle ist die Erstanlaufstelle für gewaltbetroffene Frauen, die einen Schutzplatz benötigen und kann Frauen mit ihren Kindern 24/7 von Montag bis Sonntag aufnehmen oder an ein Frauenhaus vermitteln.
2. Autonomes Frauenhaus
Frauenhaus Hestia
Frauenhaus Caritas
Frauenhaus Bora
Interkulturelles Frauenhaus
AWO Frauenhaus Berlin
Zufluchtswohnung Matilde
Stollberger Straße 55, 12627 Berlin
Zuff e.V. Zufluchtswohnungen für Frauen
Kottbusser Damm 79, 10967 Berlin
Zufluchtswohnung Paula Panke
Schulstraße 25, 13187 Berlin
Hestia Zufluchtswohnungen
Immanuelkirchstr. 10, 10405 Berlin
Frauenort Augusta
Brunnenstr. 75, 13355 Berlin
Zufluchtswohnung Flotte Lotte
Senftenberger Ring 25, 13435 Berlin
Zufluchtswohnung Frauenzimmer
Ebersstr. 34, 10827 Berlin
Zufluchtswohnung Offensiv91 (Treptow)
Hasselwerderstr. 38-40, 12439 Berlin
Zufluchtswohnung Offensiv91 (Neukölln)
Richard-Platz 8, 12055 Berlin
Frauenraum
Torstr. 112, 10119 Berlin
Frauentreffpunkt
Selchowerstr. 11, 12049 Berlin
Frauenberatung Tara
Ebersstr. 58, 10827 Berlin
Frauenberatung Bora
Albertinenstr. 1, 13086 Berlin
Interkulturelle Beratungsstelle
Teltower Damm 4-8, 14169 Berlin
Frauenkrisentelefon
Naunynstr. 72, 10997 Berlin
Wildwasser Frauenselbsthilfe und Beratung
Die Wildwasser-Frauenberatung bietet ein Beratungs- und Unterstützungsangebot für Frauen, die sexuelle Gewalt als Mädchen erfahren haben.
Friesenstr. 6, 10965 Berlin
Wildwasser FrauenNachtCafé
Wildwasser führt außerdem das FrauenNachtCafé, eine nächtliche Krisenanlaufstelle für Frauen, die sich in der Krise befinden.
Mareschstr. 14, 12055 Berlin
Wildwasser Mädchenberatung
Wriezener Str. 10-11, 13359 Berlin
Mutstelle Berlin
Die Mutstelle Berlin bietet Beratung für erwachsene Frauen und Männer mit Lernschwierigkeiten, die sexualisierte Gewalt erleben oder erlebt haben.
Heinrich-Heine-Straße 15, 10179 Berlin
Anti-Stalking-Projekt des FRIEDA-Frauenzentrums e.V.
Das Anti-Stalking-Projekt berät und unterstützt Frauen*, die von Stalking und/oder Cyberstalking betroffen sind.
Proskauer Straße 7, 10247 Berlin
Papatya
TIO e.V.
Köpernicker Str.9, 10997 Berlin
Elisi Evi e.V.
Skalitzer Str. 50, 10997 Berlin
Berliner Koordinierungsstelle gegen FGM_C
Die Koordinierungsstelle bietet neben gynäkologischer Beratung und Behandlung auch psychologische Begleitung und psychosoziale Gruppenangebote an. Sie arbeitet kultursensibel und kann bei Bedarf Sprachmittler*innen einbeziehen. Auf Wunsch informiert sie über die Angebote von Partnerorganisationen (Terre des Femmes e.V., Desert Flower Center) und kann innerhalb der Koordinierungsstelle vermitteln.
Konrad-Wolf-Str. 12/12A, 13055 Berlin-Lichtenberg
Desert Flower Center Waldfriede
Im Krankenhaus Waldfriede ist das Desert Flower Center angesiedelt. Hier finden von FGM_C betroffene Frauen neben der Möglichkeit rekonstruktiver Operationen auch medizinische und psychosoziale Hilfe und Betreuung.
Argentinische Allee 40, 14163 Berlin
Ban Ying e.V.
Anklamer Strasse 38, 10115 Berlin
IN VIA
Residenzstr. 90, 13409 Berlin
SOLWODI
Kranoldstraße 24, 12051 Berlin
Hydra – Treffpunkt und Beratungsstelle zu Sexarbeit und Prostitution
Köpenicker Straße 187/188, 10997 Berlin
Frauentreff Olga – Beratung für drogenkonsumierende Sexarbeiterinnen
Kurfürstenstraße 40, 10785 Berlin
Berliner Wegweiser für von häuslicher Gewalt betroffene Migrantinnen
Der in Kooperation mit BIG erstellte “Berliner Wegweiser für von häuslicher Gewalt betroffene Migrantinnen” ist eine Broschüre zum Download, die einen Überblick über die Beratungsangebote gibt..
Istanbul Convention – Violence against women* and girls* violates human rights!
The Council of Europe’s Istanbul Convention is a human rights treaty to combat violence against women* and girls* and aims to protect them. The convention has been in force in Germany since February 2018. Germany is therefore obliged to prevent, combat and prosecute violence against women* and girls* and thereby reinforce their rights.
The Istanbul Convention also includes providing more information about violence against women* and girls* and raising awareness of how violence can be prevented and how those affected can be supported. That is why the #DasIstGewalt campaign exists.
About this campaign
Millions of women* and girls* experience violence. With the #DasIstGewalt (#ThisIsViolence) campaign, the Berlin Senate wants to raise public awareness of this. Various campaigns are intended to activate the environment of those affected and to empower the women* and girls* affected through solidarity and offers of help.
To raise awareness of this important topic, there will be a social media campaign with well-known creators such as Angie Berbuer, Helge Mark Lodder, Yasmin Bal, Silvana Carlsson and Julia Kremer. On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women* and Girls*, on Saturday, 25 November 2023, a campaign will take place on Berlin’s Alexanderplatz/Fernsehturm. Interested parties and the media can find out more there. Information material in the form of posters, flyers and postcards will be distributed in the weeks before and after the campaign day. In order to reach as many people as possible, the information is presented in an easy-to-understand format and is available in up to eleven languages.
The aim of #DasIstGewalt (#ThisIsViolence) is for more people to understand that violence is not always visible or recognisable at first glance, how many forms of violence there are and how big the problem of violence against women* and girls* is. We can all do something about it by taking a look and stopping violence!