German helpline for Violence Against Women receives Record Calls

Germany’s national helpline for violence against women received a record of 61,235 calls in 2024; this is according to its helpline’s annual report, published on Monday.

The figure was more than three times higher than the 18,812 calls logged in 2013, according to the Federal office of family affairs and civil society functions (BAFzA).

The report said enquiries about domestic and sexual violence made up the majority of the calls, at 72 per cent.

“These figures show how important the helpline is as a support service for women affected by violence,” said BAFzA President Martina Hannak.

According to the latest report, 75per cent of those seeking advice were themselves affected by violence, while family members and friends accounted for 20 per cent and professionals 4 per cent.

Similarly to previous years, 89 per cent of contacts were made by telephone, with the rest using online counseling such as instant chats.

The helpline was set up in March 2013, the 116 016 number is available around the clock throughout Europe.

Around 100 counselors help women affected by violence free of charge, anonymously and confidentially, in several languages.

It said that contact can also be made via chat or email.