— Counselling for women and girls*
PLAIN LANGUAGE
Violence against women and girls
What is violence? Violence can take many forms.
Violence means that someone hurts or injures another person. This can happen in various ways. It is important to know that no one has the right to hurt or frighten anyone else.
Wie kann sich Gewalt gegen Frauen und Mädchen zeigen?
Violence against women and girls can take various forms:
Physical violence:
This means that someone could hit, push or otherwise physically harm you.Verbal abuse:
Someone might use bad words, insult or threaten to hurt someone.Emotional or psychological abuse:
This could mean that someone constantly criticises, manipulates or intimidates others in order to hurt them emotionally.Sexual violence:
This is when someone forces sexual acts against another person's will or touches them inappropriately.Economic violence:
This happens when someone wants to restrict financial freedom, take money away or control finances.Digital violence:
This is when someone is insulted, harassed, stalked, threatened or disparaged on the internet, for example on social media, but also via direct messages or in messenger groups.
It is important to know that help is available in such situations or similar ones where violence is experienced. There are people and organisations that can provide support.
What can I do?
If you experience violence, there are steps you can take to protect yourself and get support:
Seek safety immediately:
If you are in immediate danger, try to get to a safe place.Talk to someone you trust:
Share your experiences with someone you trust, such as a friend, family member or colleague.Get professional help:
Contact organisations that specialise in providing support for victims of violence. Many countries have hotlines and counselling services for victims of violence.Consider legal action:
In some cases, it may be necessary to take legal action. This could mean reporting the violence to the police or obtaining a restraining order.Document the incidents:
If it is safe to do so, make a record of the incidents, including the date, time, location and description. This information could be useful in legal matters.Seek professional advice:
Talk to a counsellor or therapist to get emotional support and find ways to cope with the effects of the violence.Find out about protective measures:
If necessary, enquire about protective measures, such as a safe haven or a protection programme for victims of violence.Self-care:
Remember to take care of yourself. Look for ways to practise self-care to strengthen your physical and emotional health.
It is important to emphasise that you are not alone, and there are people and resources that can help you. If possible, seek support and help from professionals and organisations that specialise in violence prevention and victim protection.
