Experiencing violent or threatening situations can be traumatising. To help victims and witnesses of assault, domestic violence, harassment and other crimes, the city of Hamburg has several institutions in place that offer immediate support — ranging from legal assistance and counselling to protected housing. The Victim Support Centre Hamburg provides professional psychological support for all men and women who have fallen victim to violence or abuse — regardless of the nature of their experience and whether it was reported or not. Below we’ve listed specialised information for women and children in threatening situations.
In case of urgently threatening situations, always dial police hotline by dialing 110!
Children and teens
Kids and teens having trouble at home, at school or online can reach out to the national kids’ helpline 116 111 to talk to someone about it. The helpline is open from Monday to Saturday from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. Calls are anonymous and free of charge.
Young people facing dangerous situations at home due to their gender identity or sexual orientation, can also reach out to one of the many organisations in Hamburg offering support to the LGBTQI community.
To report harmful or threatening situations, there is the Hamburg child protection hotline (040) 428 15 32 00. This number can be phoned round-the-clock by parents, teachers, neighbours or family members who are worried about a child they know. Should the situation call for it, Hamburg has several child protection centres where infants, children and teens are housed safely and cared for by professionals.
At risk groups
Women in need of a safe space for themselves and their children can contact the Hamburg Coordination Office to arrange immediate protection at one of Hamburg’s women’s shelters. Call (040) 8000 4 1000 or email schutz@24-7-frauenhaeuser-hh.de.
Girls between 13 and 17 years old who need a temporary place to stay away from home can contact the Hamburg girls’ shelter at (040) 4 28 49 265. Girls and young women aged 14 to 21 facing intercultural conflict at home (e.g. domestic violence or forced marriage) can contact ZUFLUCHT to receive immediate protection at a secret address. Call (040) 38 6478 78 to arrange for help.
While it isn't necessarily safe to assume that all women's resources are fully educated about gender diversity or, for that matter, are safe spaces for transgender or gender nonconforming residents, the nation-wide women’s help hotline Hilfetelefon Gewalt gegen Frauen has assured us that they offer support regardless of race, ethnic origin, gender identity, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation — this, of course, includes members of Hamburg’s LGBTQI* community, especially those facing gender identity-based abuse, who might be unsure about whether women's resources will be welcoming. Those experiencing abuse of any kind — at home, at work or elsewhere — wishing to contact the nation-wide women’s help hotline, can do so by calling 08000 116 016 or visiting their website. Support is available in multiple languages.
As our list of LGBTQI*- (and especially trans-) friendly resources for those facing violence is confirmed, this section will be updated accordingly. Click here for more general resources for Hamburg’s LGBTQI* community, including support groups and health care.
