New women's shelter in the Ebersberg district: A ray of hope for victims!

New women's shelter in the Ebersberg district: A ray of hope for victims!

An important step in the fight against domestic violence has been taken in the Ebersberg district: the region's first women's shelter began operations at the beginning of October this year. The new offer is specifically intended for women and their children who have become victims of domestic or sexual violence. There is space for up to seven people who can live in an anonymous and safe environment. The facility is exclusively attended by women to ensure a protected atmosphere.

The women's shelter is run by the “Women Helping Women” association, which also runs the established “Women's Emergency Hotline”. This service has been active since 1989 and has steadily grown in importance since then. According to Angela Rupp, managing director of the women's emergency hotline, domestic violence is a widespread problem in Germany. Statistics show that the number of unreported cases is high - only around five percent of attacks are reported. At the same time, the demand for support has increased, although this continues to make the topic taboo for many of those affected.

Safe place for affected women

As District Administrator Robert Niedergesäß emphasizes, the opening of the women's shelter is a socio-political signal for women's rights and victim protection. In recent years, the 5.6 percent increase in domestic violence has also produced worrying figures in Ebersberg. In 2023, there were more than 180,000 cases of domestic violence in Germany, with 70.5 percent of the victims being women and girls. These figures come from the first situation report on gender-based violence, which was recently published.

The women's shelter in Ebersberg not only offers accommodation, but also comprehensive advice and support. A team of social workers and educators is available to help with integration into a new life, be it looking for an apartment or dealing with authorities. The furnishings of the house were designed to enable friendly and functional living together. There are shared living areas and playrooms for children, with the furniture designed to save space.

Call for support

Special attention is paid to safety precautions. These include sturdy roller blinds and a bell with video function. In addition, digital violence is also a serious problem that has been recognized - women are advised not to use their own devices.

The financing of the women's shelter is largely ensured by the district; the Bavarian Ministry of Family Affairs covers half of the personnel costs. Nevertheless, the sponsoring association has to cover around ten percent of the material and personnel costs itself. Additional financial resources are necessary to cover ongoing costs and future projects, such as Christmas presents for the children or garden furniture. If you would like to help, you can contact the women's emergency hotline directly at the telephone number 08092 881 10 contact or send an email info@frauennotruf-ebe.de send.

Overall, the new women's shelter in the Ebersberg district represents a positive step towards support and security for affected women. It is seen as a long-term contribution to violence prevention and is intended to help women who have experienced violence find a safe place to stabilize themselves.