There is violence, control, or threat

Strain, crisis & safety

In short

What this page is about

Careful orientation for violence, control, threat, or fear in a relationship, family, or home.

This may fit if

you are looking into this topic: There is violence, control, or threat

If you do just one thing

Clarify safety first.

Violence can be more than hitting

Threats, control, being locked in, coercion, constant surveillance, sexual violence, or fear of reactions are serious too. You do not have to prove that it is bad enough.

Plan safety instead of risky confrontation

If a person could become dangerous, a direct conversation is not always safe. Look for confidential counseling, a safe person, or police via 112 in acute danger.

Suitable contact points

The German helpline Violence against Women 116 016 gives anonymous, free, multilingual counseling. Relatives can also ask for advice there. Other counseling centers or police can help in other situations.

If it is dangerous now

If you are immediately threatened, someone is injured, or you are not safe, real urgent help matters. Call 112 or get to a safe place if possible.

Sources and notes

• Violence against women helpline in Germany: 116 016
• TelefonSeelsorge: phone, chat, and mail support in Germany
• European Union: emergency number 112
• 116117: medical on-call service and appointment service

If you only wanted information

This guide may fit as a next step: What is a crisis?

If you want to try first contact

Use the sentence helper or copy one short sentence. First contact does not have to be perfect.

If it has become urgent

Then reading more is not the priority. Open urgent help or call 112 in Germany if there is immediate danger.