Sexual Abuse Helpline counsellors are trained psychologists and educators. They have many years of experience in counselling and supporting people who have experienced sexual abuse, who have been confronted with sexual abuse or who are worried about a child.
No, you do not need to. You do not need to mention where you live either. If you tell counsellors who you are or where you are calling from, they will keep this information confidential. This means: They will not pass on your data. Your telephone number is protected, too. The counsellors on the helpline will not see your number.
You can call the helpline
- if you have a suspicion or a funny feeling or are worried about a child.
- if there are concrete indications that a child is sexually abused.
- if you want to help an affected child and would like to know how.
- if you want to talk about a situation which weighs you down very much.
- if you yourself are or were affected by sexual abuse in your childhood or youth and are looking for support.
- if you have general questions on the topic.
As a rule, counselling is provided in German. However, at the request of the person calling, an interpreter for another language may join in at the beginning of the conversation.
Counselling may be provided in the following languages:
- English
- Arabic
- Turkish
- Spanish
- Russian
- Ukrainian
- Romanian
- Italian
- Dari
- Bosnian
- Croatian
- Serbian
- Bulgarian
- French
- Hungarian
- Persian (Farsi)
- Polish
- Albanian
- Kurdish
Interpreters have been sensitised to this topic and treat all matters confidentially. In this way, the counselling service remains anonymous and continues to be tailored to the needs of those affected. Up until now, only female interpreters have been hired.
Many people ask this question on the helpline. They are not sure about whether what weighs them down or worries them could be sexual abuse.
In short: Sexual abuse is any sexual act of adults performed on or in front of a child. Many people also call this sexual violence. As sexual abuse is a form of violence.
There are different forms of sexual violence against children and adolescents. Additional information on this topic can be found on the Sexual Abuse Help Portal under “Questions & Answers” and under the category “Good to know”.
Many people call the helpline because they have a funny feeling: They have observed or heard something and now they are wondering whether their suspicion is justified. They want to know how they can recognise sexual abuse, what consequences this form of violence has, how perpetrators proceed, whether they should go to the police and what they can do to protect a child.
It is often also a matter of sexual assaults among children and adolescents. What is a natural part of a child's sexual development? Where do behaviours start to become concerning? How do I behave towards the affected and the abusive child? What do I do if the sexual abuse is perpetrated by a sibling? Have abusive children and adolescents always experienced sexual violence themselves? What do I do if the violent act was committed using digital technologies? And how can I make sure that it stops?
Many people call the helpline who have experienced sexual violence themselves. They have a wide range of concerns. Many are under a lot of emotional stress due to their personal history. They are suffering from the consequences of the violence experienced, are looking for relief and support. For some of them, calling the helpline is the first step. They have never talked to anyone before about what they have experienced.
Also adolescents that are acutely affected call the helpline. Many primarily use online counselling. The counsellors are there for the adolescents and, together with them, work out how to protect them against violence.
If you call the helpline, you can take your time to talk about your situation and worries. The counsellors will listen to you and ask back if something is unclear. These questions are important for them so that they will be able to better understand and assess the situation.
Together with you, the counsellors will assess the situation. They will find out what is best for you or the protection of the child and give guidance and advice on the next steps. If you agree, counsellors will also name relevant contact persons and support services in your area.
Locally, different institutions and professionals will be available for you. The goal of counselling through the helpline is to give you confidence in dealing with the situation. The counsellors on the helpline will put you in touch with the right contact persons in your region. You can decide for yourself whether you want to turn to them and then get in touch with them yourself.
Counsellors will keep information you provide on the helpline confidential. They will not pass on information and will not get involved in cases. However, there is one exception: In case of imminent danger – for example, if someone announces their intention to commit suicide – counsellors are allowed to involve relevant bodies and pass on information resulting from the telephone conversation with the aim of protecting that person.
Of course you may do so. Please do not try to cope with your situation all alone. Please call the helpline – no matter how long ago you experienced the violence. The helpline will be there for you and counsellors will listen to you. On the phone, you will have the time to talk about what worries you. The counsellors will try to find the right solution together with you.
Trust your feeling, take the suspicion seriously and stay calm. This is the most important thing. On the helpline, the counsellors will analyse the situation with you. They will give you an initial expert assessment and concrete advise on the next steps to take and the types of local assistance available.
In case of a concrete suspicion, it is important to look for professional support to further clarify the situation and to protect the child. You are not the only one responsible for protecting the child. It is more a matter of being attentive, recognising indications and carefully initiating all possible steps for the protection of the child.
You will find additional information on what to do if you have a hunch or suspicion on the Sexual Abuse Help Portal under “Questions and Answers.
Yes, you may. It can be very hard when a close person learns or has learned about sexual abuse. You may ask yourself: How can I help? What is the right behaviour? Should I or do I have to report it to the police? How should I deal with the situation? Where can I turn to with my anger, my fears, my insecurities?
You can talk about all of this with the counsellors on the phone. They know how difficult the situation is for family members, too. People from the social environment of affected persons need support because they are affected, too.
Many people working with children professionally use the helpline. They call because they are faced with the topic. They, for instance, have a suspicion or have learned about a specific case of sexual child abuse. And they call because they have general questions on prevention, intervention or protection concepts.
The helpline gives telephone and online support to professionals. There is also the possibility for institutions to receive videochat counselling and counselling by appointment.
Under the category “Good to know”, you will find information and further links on the topics of prevention and protection concepts.