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Frequently asked questions and answers
Yes, the advice service is available regardless of the social and ethnic origin, age, disability, religion or sexual orientation of the person seeking advice. It explicitly applies to cis and trans people as well as non-binary people. Male adolescents under the age of 18 are referred to suitable youth-specific help services.
Some men find it difficult to access help services due to their hearing impairment. The key information on this website is also available in easy-to-read language. Advice in sign language is not yet available. Hearing-impaired or deaf men can currently seek advice by email or chat.
The staff at the men's helpline are qualified professionals, mostly from the fields of social work, social education or psychology. As a rule, they have completed counseling or therapy training and have been involved in counseling men affected by violence for many years. In any case, they will take your concerns seriously and treat you without prejudice.
Counseling on the violence against men helpline is possible in many ways. As some victims find it easier to communicate their experiences and feelings in writing, there is also the option of email and instant chat advice via the website in addition to telephone advice. The advisors will answer your questions promptly.
Anonymity and confidentiality are basic requirements for those affected to find the courage to come forward and ask for support. Telephone and online advice (email and instant chat advice) is confidential and anonymous. People seeking advice do not have to give their name or any other personal details.
As a general rule, we know and respect that it can often be very difficult and shameful, especially for men, to talk to other people about experiences of violence. You therefore decide what and how much you want to tell and in which direction the conversation should go. It does not matter to us whether you are experiencing or have experienced physical, psychological, sexualized, economic or other forms of violence. You can also contact us if you are not sure whether you are or have been exposed to violence.
In any case, we will look at your individual situation together with you and will be happy to give you a professional assessment if you wish. We can also develop solution strategies together and, if necessary, consider steps you can take to protect yourself from (further) violence. Of course, we will also be happy to provide you with information on local advice and support services.
However, if you simply need a sympathetic ear so that you are not completely alone with the violence you have suffered and can unburden yourself, that is also perfectly fine.
Counseling is currently primarily available in German and English. Turkish-speaking men can ask their questions during consultation hours on Mondays from 6 to 8 pm. Email consultations are also available in Turkish.
In principle, we see ourselves as a classic "clearing house", i.e. a first point of contact where all men affected by violence can receive low-threshold, free, anonymous and, above all, immediate advice on their specific situation. During the counseling sessions, we usually work together with the victims to find suitable, usually local help options where they can get the support they need in the future.
Longer-term advice processes on the phone are therefore not carried out; we are also unable to offer appointments. However, it is of course possible (and happens more frequently in everyday life) for a man to contact us a second or third time because new questions may have arisen or he would like to discuss a certain procedure again. In these cases, we then try to conduct this further communication via email so that we remain reasonably easy to reach by phone for "new callers".
Of course, you are very welcome to draw the attention of a man affected by violence to our offer of help. It may be easier for him to talk about his experiences (anonymously) by phone, email or chat than to attend a face-to-face counseling session. You can also offer to be present at the counseling session to provide support. But please bear in mind that violence is a very sensitive topic and often also very shameful. So please do not urge anyone to call the violence against men helpline.
If you would like to seek advice yourself in your role as a contact person for the man affected by violence, you can of course also contact us.