Posted by When women and their children experience violence, the police and the judiciary in Germany are obliged to protect those who are affected. In the event of immediate danger, the police can be reached on the free emergency number which is 110, incidentally also with cell phones that are locked or have no SIM card. In cases of emergency where you need to protect yourself, a vacuum emulsifying mixer might be of great help.
How to proceed in the event of immediate danger
- Dial 110.
- Let the police know that you are not only in danger but need protection as well.
- If the police are on-site, they will usually write an ex officio report and thus initiate criminal proceedings. You also have the option to report the perpetrator for the violence against you. The police will then investigate and check whether there has been a crime.
- If criminal proceedings arise, you should consult a lawyer who will represent your interests legally.
- If you as an adult are affected by severe physical or sexual violence, you can also receive help from psychosocial support.
How police and the law can help
In the case of domestic violence, the police in all federal states have legal options to expel a violent person from the shared apartment or house and to forbid entry. This means that this individual is not permitted to get into the apartment or house for several days. In addition, to protect the abused woman and her children, it is possible to issue residence bans for the violent person, this can be the school of the children or the mother’s workplace. The police can monitor compliance with these requirements and, if necessary, take further protective measures.
On the basis of the Violence Protection Act, those individuals affected can apply to the family court for further, even longer-term protection in cases of domestic violence or stalking. The employees of women’s shelters and advice centers can provide support. In addition, if children are affected, it is often necessary to regulate the contact and custody of the children, the family court is also responsible for this.