What are my rights?

If you are in immediate danger, call the police.

The police can issue what is called a barring and protection order against the perpetrator. This means:

• The perpetrator must leave your shared residence. (It does not matter who owns the residence or who is the main tenant.)
• He is not allowed to enter the residence for 14 days.
• He is not allowed to come near you. The distance must be at least 100 meters.
• The police monitor whether the order is being complied with.
• You receive free counseling from the Violence Protection Center.
• If you are afraid that the perpetrator will not comply with the order, you can go to a women’s shelter.

This is important so that:

• the violence is interrupted.
• you can find peace.
• you can consider how to proceed.

During the barring and protection order, you can file an application for an interim injunction. This automatically extends the barring and protection order to 4 weeks. An interim injunction is valid for up to 1 year.

For longer-term protection, you can apply to the court for an interim injunction. An interim injunction is a document that regulates contact prohibitions for the perpetrator. There are different types of interim injunctions. For example:

• The perpetrator is not allowed to enter your residence.
• He is not allowed to contact you.
• The perpetrator receives a ban from multiple locations (residence, kindergarten, etc.).
• The perpetrator is not allowed to share any personal data or images of you.

When you file an application for an interim injunction, it is advisable to provide the court with evidence. This can be, for example:

• A barring and protection order
• A criminal complaint
• A statement to the police
• Evidence of injuries (for example, photos)
• Evidence of digital violence (chat messages, emails, voice messages, etc.)

We recommend that you seek support when filing the application. If you do not yet have a counselor, call our counseling center.

If you experience violence, you can report the perpetrator to the police. This means that you report the criminal acts.

Criminal acts include, for example:

• Continued violence
• Bodily harm
• Stalking
• Rape
• Dangerous threat

The police must investigate after a report. This means they examine your case and collect evidence. This is sent to the public prosecutor’s office.

The public prosecutor’s office decides whether charges will be brought against the perpetrator. If charges are brought, there will be a court hearing.

Important:

• You have the right to free legal support during proceedings. This means: you can receive counseling before filing a report and do not have to go to the police alone.
• If you have filed a report alone, take the protocol with you. This is called a “witness examination protocol.” You have the right to take it with you.
• If you have filed a report alone, you can still receive legal support during proceedings afterward. Call us.
• You cannot withdraw a report.
• When the police learn of criminal offenses, they must file a report. This is called the official principle.

You have the right to free legal support during proceedings for the entire process. This means: you receive counselors who accompany you. These are called legal support specialists. Your legal support specialists are a counselor (for example, a social worker or psychologist) and a lawyer. Your legal support specialists accompany and advise you from the beginning to the conclusion of the court proceedings.

Your legal support specialists:

• Advise you on your rights and obligations and explain the process to you.
• Prepare appointments with you. For example: at the police station or court.
• Accompany you to court appointments.
• Support you throughout the entire process.

Under certain circumstances, you can also receive legal support during proceedings for civil proceedings. For example, in cases of:

• Divorce
• Custody

You can receive legal support during proceedings at our counseling center.