📞 Advice and points of contact
In brief
You do not have to cope with the consequences of a crime alone. In addition to the legal instruments described in this overview, there are specialised advice centres that support you free of charge, often anonymously and independently of the outcome of criminal proceedings – with orientation in the proceedings, psychosocial support, practical questions about compensation and insurance, or simply as a contact person in a distressing situation.
The nationwide association WEISSER RING is the best-known general victim support organisation in Germany and offers initial advice to people affected by a very wide range of offences via its victims' helpline and local branch offices. For specific types of offence (domestic violence, sexualised violence, stalking, online hate crime), specialised advice centres additionally exist.
Step by step
- Acute situation: emergency callIn case of immediate danger, always call the police (110) first.
- First orientationThe WEISSER RING victims' helpline (116 006) offers free, confidential initial advice, also anonymously.
- Look for specialised adviceDepending on the type of offence (e.g. sexualised violence, domestic violence, stalking, hate crime), contact a specialist advice centre directly.
- Clarify psychosocial trial supportIf you are about to testify or attend a main hearing, check early whether psychosocial trial support makes sense.
- Get legal adviceFor concrete legal steps (joint plaintiff status, damages), get legal advice from a lawyer, if necessary via legal advice assistance (Beratungshilfe).
Deadlines
- Advice is not a substitute for a criminal complaint if you want to file one – conversely, a report is not a prerequisite for using advice services.
- Some services specialise in particular types of offence or target groups (e.g. only for women, only for children and young people) – if you are unsure, the general victims' helpline helps with referral.
- This platform does not replace individual legal advice; it offers orientation and points to offices that can help in your specific case.
In depth · legal basis, figures and practice – for advisers and professionals
WEISSER RING
WEISSER RING e. V. is a nationwide, non-profit victim support organisation with numerous local branch offices. Among other things, it offers personal initial advice, accompaniment to appointments with authorities and courts, and in certain cases financial bridging assistance.
Victims' helpline 116 006
The victims' helpline can be reached free of charge on the nationwide uniform number 116 006 and offers first orientation, regardless of the type of offence suffered.
Psychosocial trial support and specialist advice
For people affected who have to take part in a main hearing as witnesses, psychosocial trial support under the PsychPbG can offer additional professional support (see separate topic page). For specific types of offence, specialised advice centres with their own expertise exist, for example for people affected by domestic or sexualised violence.
Scope of this platform
This platform offers structured legal orientation based on publicly accessible legal sources. It does not replace individual legal advice or psychological or therapeutic care, but is meant to make access to the respective responsible and specialised offices easier.
A question about your situation that this page does not answer? Write to us or use the contact form – we will tell you which office is responsible and what to bring. Free of charge, without individual legal advice.