In the aftermath of a crime, those affected may experience a strong emotional reaction and intensely unpleasant feelings. If that happens, psychological or psychotherapeutic support can help.

Quite often, a crime leaves traces on the victim’s soul. It can stir up strong reactions and emotions. This may be the case if you are personally affected by the criminal offence – be it burglary, stalking or violence. But this can also happen if someone close to you was injured or killed in a violent crime, if you have witnessed a violent act with your own eyes or were on the scene as a first responder. Everyone reacts differently. Many persons affected by a criminal offence feel insecure, anxious, sad and restless or suffer from sleep disorders. It can also happen that – unintentionally and uncontrollably – smells or sounds from the crime scene keep coming up. This is quite normal, especially in the first days and weeks. During this time people process what they have experienced.

If persons affected by a criminal offence wish they had support in coming to terms with what has happened to them, if they feel a heavy burden and do not get better for a longer period of time, it is advisable to seek professional help. There are various institutions that specialise in providing them with quick and reliable assistance.

Longer-term support

Municipal and local authorities, church-related organisations such as Diakonie and Caritas, as well as independent institutions provide a wide range of psychosocial assistance through their crisis support services and counselling centres. Besides general psychological counselling, they offer family counselling, legal advice, informational events, self-help groups and many other services. Find crisis support services and counselling centres near you with the help of the Service Locator.

Outpatient psychotherapy and psychiatric care

Anyone who has suffered damage to their health as the result of a violent crime is entitled to help under the Victims Compensation Act. This includes the services of outpatient trauma centres. In these trauma centres, victims of violence can immediately receive psychological support. Many of those affected by a crime feel significantly better after just a few counselling or psychotherapy sessions. If necessary, additional longer-term treatment, e.g. outpatient psychotherapy, or inpatient treatment in a psychiatric or psychosomatic clinic, can be offered or arranged. Many outpatient trauma centres are connected to psychiatric clinics or hospitals so that in many cases medical and psychiatric care be provided as well.

Video: Outpatient trauma centres offer psychological help at short noticeto persons affected by violent crimes. Contact points of this kind exist throughout Germany. Dr. Olaf Schulte-Herbrüggen is the head of the out-patient trauma centre at the Bodelschwingh-Klinik in Berlin. (Please click for english subtitles)

The costs of counselling or psychotherapy in an outpatient trauma centre are borne either by the health insurance provider or the pension office (see below). An overview of the outpatient trauma centres in the Länder can be found here (in German).

Apart from specialist outpatient trauma centres, crisis intervention and psychotherapy are also offered by outpatient psychotherapeutic practices or centres (e.g. outpatient departments of university hospitals). In principle, psychotherapists offer short-term appointments, but referral to a course of outpatient psychotherapy treatment often involves waiting time. On the internet there are numerous websites that can help you find suitable psychotherapists. You can also get help with your search from the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians and most professional psychotherapist associations.

Outpatient medical care for affected persons is provided by specialist doctors for psychiatry, psychotherapy or neurology in private practice and by outpatient clinics connected to psychiatric or general hospitals. Among other things, the main focus here is the medicinal treatment of mental health problems.

The costs of these outpatient treatments are usually covered by the health insurance provider.

Telephone help lines

Persons affected by a criminal offence can get fast, low-threshold and often anonymous help over the phone. These help lines are usually free of charge. Many telephone advice services are available throughout Germany.

Crisis hotline of the Protestant and Catholic churches: 0800 111 0 111 or 0800 111 0 222
Sexual abuse helpline: 0800 2255 530
Helpline for violence against women: 08000 116 016
Helpline for men who have experienced violence: 0800 1239900
Contact point for victims of organized sexual and ritual violence (berta): 0800 3050 750
Victim hotline WEISSER RING: 116 006
Parents’ Helpline: 0800 11 10 550
Helpline for pregnant women in need or distress: 0800 4040 020
Medical child protection hotline: 0800 1921 000

You can find local services here.

Bereavement support

The feelings, conditions and reactions that the loss of a loved one causes can be summarized under the term `grief´. Grief is complex and very personal. Some of those recently bereaved wish to be accompanied and supported in their grief. Help can be obtained from various grief support and self-help groups or by taking recourse to individual bereavement counselling. You can find information about the different bereavement support offers on the website of the Federal Grief Support Association (in German).

Video: Persons affected by serious criminal offences are entitled to psychosocial support in court proceedings. Specifically trained staff provide support to those affected before, during and after the trial. Susanne Hampe is one of them. (Please click for english subtitles)