Help and support services
General counselling service for difficult life situations
For young people
Nummer gegen Kummer: Children and young people’s helpline:
The children and young people's helpline can provide you with advice on all manner of worries and concerns. The helpline is anonymous and free of charge from mobiles and landlines:
116 111 (available Mon–Sat, 14:00–20:00)
They additionally offer online counselling and provide advice via e-mail or Live Chat.
Help with online problems: JUUUPORT.de:
Through JUUUPORT, you can receive free, confidential advice from young people and young adults from all over Germany. They can provide you with support on all manner of online problems, such as cybermobbing, sextortion, cybergrooming, media addiction, fake news or scams.
Advice is available via the contact form on the website.
Krisenchat
Krisenchat offers help in crises via chat – over WhatsApp or text message. Counselling is free and confidential and you do not need to log in or create an account.
JugendNotmail
JugendNotmail offers free and confidential online counselling. The service is available 24/7 and you can contact the counsellors at any time, about any topic. There is also an app available for this service: “Junoma” is available to download for free from the usual app stores.
You can find a comprehensive list of support services on the website of the Federal Ministry for Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth.
For legal guardians
Nummer gegen Kummer: Parent's helpline
The Nummer gegen Kummer service also provides free, anonymous advice to parents and adults who care for children. You can receive support with a range of issues such as parenting problems, difficulties at school, family crises, addiction or dangers on the internet:
(Mon, Wed and Fri, 09:00–17:00; Tue and Thu, 09:00–19:00)
Bundeskonferenz für Erziehungsberatung
The Bundeskonferenz für Erziehungsberatung (bke) supports parents with all concerns, big or small, related to raising children. Here you will find professional parenting advice and opportunities to exchange ideas with lots of other parents. They offer e-mail counselling and a forum, as well as group or individual chats.
www.bke-beratung.de/elternberatung/willkommen
Kinderschutz-Zentren
Kinderschutz-Zentren (child protection centres) are counselling centres for children, young people and families affected by violence. You can find contact information for local centres on the Kinderschutz-Zentren website.
www.kinderschutz-zentren.org/kinderschutz-zentren/
Local youth welfare office
Your local youth welfare office can also provide advice. They can support you if you need help, and are able to provide you with information about available assistance.
The Violence against Women Helpline
The Violence against Women Helpline is a nationwide counselling service for women who have experienced or are still experiencing violence. Relatives, friends and professionals can also contact the helpline. The helpline is free and anonymous.
116 016
(available 24/7, 365 days a year)
They also offer online counselling:
https://onlineberatung.hilfetelefon.de/
You can find a comprehensive list of support services on the website of the Federal Ministry for Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth.
Counselling for sexual violence
Sexual Abuse Help Line
The helpline offers support for young people and adults who have been affected by sexual violence in childhood and adolescence, who are concerned about someone else, or who have suspicions or a strange feeling. Advice is anonymous, free and available in multiple languages, including sign language:
Telephone times
Mon, Wed, Fri: 09:00–14:00
Tue, Thu: 15:00–20:00
Schreib Ollie Onlineberatung
The Sexual Abuse Help Line also offers an online counselling service for all questions related to sexual violence. The advisors at Schreib Ollie provide trustworthy support to young people and adults. You can submit written questions at any time, anonymously and free of charge. The advisors reply to initial enquiries within two to three working days.
Sexual Abuse Help Portal
The nationwide Sexual Abuse Help Line provides lots of information on the topic of sexual abuse and can help to find local support and counselling services. You can search their national database for counselling centres and emergency services, as well as therapy, medical and legal services.
www.hilfe-portal-missbrauch.de/startseite
Information brochure
The brochure “Was kann ich tun bei Vermutung und Verdacht?” (“What can I do if I have suspicions and concerns?”) provides guardians with advice on how to act if they believe that a child has experienced sexual violence.