I will no longer endure this in silence!
"A man can always manage on his own!" This sentence is not only out of date, it is also fundamentally dangerous, as it prevents men from taking borderline violations they have experienced seriously, talking about them and seeking or accepting help from others. Just how important this is is shown, for example, by the results of a new dark field study in which two out of three men who were affected by psychological or physical violence reported considerable emotional consequences as a result of the assaults. Our appeal is therefore unequivocal: talk about the violence you have experienced! Don't stay alone with it!
Every conversation on the helpline is always open-ended and focused entirely on YOUR individual situation, your wishes, needs and perhaps also questions. This means that we first listen to you and try to understand your personal concerns. This in itself is sometimes a joint process, as many experiences of violence initially leave those affected so shaken and at a loss that it is sometimes not so easy to formulate a specific concern or even a question. Often, the first step is to talk about what is weighing so heavily on your mind.
In the further course of the conversation, the focus is then usually on thinking together about what the next steps could be to free yourself from the acute violent situation or to deal with the consequences of past experiences of violence in a helpful way. AND how, where and by whom you can receive the best possible support. Because once again: even a man doesn't have to walk every path alone - and certainly not this one! In this context, we usually look together at what resources are available in your personal environment and whether professional help might also be conceivable and available for you.
Of course, it's also perfectly OK if you don't feel you need a longer conversation about what you've experienced, but simply want some specific information and answers to your questions or a professional assessment of a situation. So whatever is on your mind in connection with the violence you have experienced: We are happy to be your point of contact.
Violence has many faces
We at the violence against men helpline have a broad definition of violence: it is not important to us to what extent what you have suffered is criminally relevant or not. What matters is that you are suffering from the violation of boundaries that you have experienced and therefore need support. Therefore, do not hesitate to contact us if you have experienced any form of boundary violation that does not allow you to rest - regardless of what happened and when it happened! Advice and support is available for the following forms of violence:
Helpful links
Echte Männer reden (Real men talk)
The "Echte Männer reden" (Real men talk) network offers on-site and online counseling for men in crisis or with acute problems (mainly in western Germany from the Ruhr region to the Black Forest).
Männerberatungsnetz (Men's counseling network)
The Männerberatungsnetz (Men's counseling network) brings together all regional advice services that specialize in the concerns and conflict situations of boys, men and fathers.
Male suicide prevention
This website is extremely helpful and empowering for men in crisis and/or with suicidal thoughts.
Men's suicide prevention (relatives)
Family members of men in crisis or at acute risk of suicide can find information and guidance here.
Federal specialist and coordination office for the protection of men against violence
This website offers a nationwide overview of regional counseling services and shelters for men affected by violence, as well as information on newsletters, publications, events and much more.
Online database for victims of crime
Odabs offers a very large database for anonymous use, including offers of psychosocial trial support or confidential evidence recovery, trauma outpatient clinics and other help options by region.
Telefonseelsorge (Telephone counseling)
The Telefonseelsorge (Telephone counseling) is available around the clock by phone, email or chat in difficult life situations - and offers the "KrisenKompass" app.
Police crime prevention by the federal states and the federal government
Here you will find detailed information and explanations on all criminal offenses.
Victim support
The Victim Support Working Group provides information here for people affected by violence, for example about their basic rights and help options.
WEISSER RING
On the website of the well-known aidorganization for crimevictims, you will not only find a wide range of information, but also very specific supportoffers.
Number against grief
The "Nummer gegen Kummer" (number against sorrow) offers free and anonymous advice for children, young people, parents and other caregivers.
Suicide prevention for young people
The U25 online suicide prevention service is a free and confidential email advice service for under 25s in (suicidal) crisis
Anxiety help
Deutsche Angst-Hilfe e.V. offers free advice by phone or online, help with finding a self-help group and a comprehensive range of information on various anxiety disorders.
Federal Association of People with Psychiatric Experiences
This non-profit self-help organization for current and former psychiatric patients offers a wide range of information for those affected.
Growing up safely
This page provides an overview of helpful telephone numbers for problems for children and young people as well as for adults affected (including an information library with working materials for those affected by partner violence and domestic violence).
Gaslighting
Here is information from Barmer Krankenkasse on gaslighting (a form of psychological violence in which the victims are manipulated so strongly through lies, denial and intimidation tactics that they begin to doubt their own sanity).
Medical care in cases of domestic violence
This page provides a guide for medical practice regarding the health care of adults affected by domestic (and sexualized) violence.
Offender work
If you have not only experienced violence, but have also perpetrated violence against your partner and need support in this regard, you can find all the necessary information about counseling centers etc. on the website of the Federal WorkingCommunity for Perpetrator Work.
Sexual abuse helpline
On this page you will also find an anonymous, free and multilingual helpline for victims of sexualized violence.
Independent Commissioner for Child Sexual Abuse Issues
On this central portal of the Federal Government you will find a wealth of information on the topic of "sexual violence against children and young people".
Help!
This central point of contact offers independent information for those affected by sexualized violence in the Protestant Church and Diakonie.
Stop Stalking
Here there is information for victims and perpetrators regarding charges, recommendations for action or reporting to the police, as well as online advice in eight languages.
Violence in sport
Safe Sport offers telephone, digital (and in Berlin also face-to-face) advice for those affected by violence in popular and professional sport.
Nationwide coordination group against human trafficking
The website of the Federal Coordination Group against Human Trafficking (KOK) offers a wealth of information on the subject of human trafficking.
Bullying
This website provides information on the subject of bullying and an anonymous hotline advice service.
Bullying (Malteser)
The Malteser International website provides helpful information on definitions, consequences, help and recommended behavior in cases of bullying.
Forced marriage
On this page you will find numerous tips for those affected and professionals, as well as background information and advice.
Sextortion
Here is concise information from the Federal Criminal Police Office on sextortion (sexual threats, blackmail and manipulation online).
Cybergrooming
Here is concise information from the Federal Criminal Police Office on cybergrooming (targeted initiation of sexual contact with minors via the internet).
HateAid
HateAid offers independent and non-partisan advice for victims of digital violence (hate comments, hostility, false allegations, defamation, fake profiles ...).
Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency
In addition to information on discrimination and protective rights, this page also provides advice by email, a discrimination check and information on advice centers in your area.
Rubicon (Nordrhein-Westfalen)
The Cologne-based advice center "rubicon" in Nordrhein-Westfalen supports lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans*, inter* and queer people (LGBT*I*Q), their families and families of choice in living and loving with confidence and without fear.
Strong! (Bayern)
Strong! is the Bavarian LGBTIQ* office against discrimination and violence and offers support, information and advice for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans*, inter* and queer people who have experienced violence or discrimination (including a dedicated help hotline).
LGBTTIQ counseling (Baden-Württemberg)
LGBTTIQ counseling offers online counseling for all people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, transgender, intersex or queer (LGBTTIQ) or who are wondering about their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Nordrhein-Westfalen
The Ministerium für Kinder, Jugend, Familie, Gleichstellung, Flucht und Integration of Nordrhein-Westfalen presents some of its measures to combat violence here.
Bayern
The state action plan "Bavaria against violence" has its own website including a digital help finder. There, the Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Familie, Arbeit und Soziales has created a comprehensive range of information on the topics of "protection against violence and violence prevention", which also includes the topic of "violence against men".
Baden-Württemberg
On this page of the Baden-Württemberg Ministerium für Soziales, Gesundheit und Integration you can find, among other things, a list of all support services for men affected by violence in Baden-Württemberg.
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
On the homepage of the Ministerium für Justiz, Gleichstellung und Verbraucherschutz you will find advice and support facilities for men affected by violence in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
Information about the download
Here you can download the flyer of the Violence against Men Helpline (with the most important information on consultation hours, access to online counseling, etc.). Further materials for public relations work (shareables, logo, poster) as well as the report of the scientific monitoring and evaluation can be downloaded on the page "I would like to know more".
