Support for victims of hate crime!
How should I respond to hate crime?
In emergencies: Dial 110
Step in!
It can also be helpful to ask uninvolved bystanders to intervene and help. Approach witnesses to the incident and make note of their names and contact details for later (address and phone number).
Show civic courage if you are a witness to hate crime – do not leave the victim alone. Click here for more tips.
Get help
Hate crime can have serious consequences for you as the victim. Many victims suffer mental distress such as anxiety and nightmares long after the incident. You are not alone with what happened. Call friends or family and tell them what you experienced. Contact a counselling centre. They will give you the support you most need now.
Documentation
You should document any injuries and damage as promptly as possible after a hate crime. For instance by taking photos of damage and injuries, writing down what you remember or visiting a doctor if necessary. You can also ask friends to assist with the documentation. All evidence may become important later on if you want to press charges. That is why you should document everything and keep the records in a safe place.
If you are injured: Go to a doctor immediately. You will receive treatment and the injuries can be documented. They should be noted in writing in a doctor’s report. The first step is to photograph visible injuries.
Women’s clinics in Munich provide first aid and secure evidence confidentially after sexualised and domestic violence: Click here for more information.
Keep a record of what you remember
Victims of and witnesses to hate crime should make sure to keep a record of what they remember – even if you do not want to get the police involved or report a criminal offence. You can keep the record either in writing or as a voice note on your smartphone.
Memories fade quickly, so you should make this record as soon as possible after the incident. Make notes of everything you remember in as much detail as possible. You should even include things that seem unimportant like what the perpetrator was wearing or things that they said.
Your record should answer the following questions:
- Who is the victim?
- When and where did the incident take place? (Date, time, address)
- What was it about?
- What exactly did the attackers do and say?
- Describe the features and clothing of the perpetrators.
- Are there witnesses? If yes, try to obtain and note their contact details and ask them also to make a record of what they remember.
Click here for more information.
Reporting an offence
Do not let the perpetrators get away: Report a criminal offence! Click here to learn how to proceed.
Hate crime is a criminal offence and it is your right to report the perpetrator to the police. You can contact a counselling centre if you are uncertain whether a punishable offence has been committed or you are reluctant to go to the police on your own. The counselling centre will be able to provide you with a basic assessment and/or accompany you to the police station.
Counselling and support
Independent counselling centres and victim support services
You have the right to receive assistance if you are the victim of a hate crime! The counselling centres listed here will offer you with free, confidential and independent support and assistance. Your first step would be to arrange an appointment for counselling. The counselling centre will support you with any further steps you wish to take (e.g. dealing with authorities or the police) and make sure you receive the counselling you need (e.g. legal advice, psychosocial counselling). It is up to you to decide which assistance you want to accept.
Counselling and support from public authorities
Authorities and public administrations also have contact points that work to combat hate crime and discrimination. These include the police and municipal offices. You can contact the municipal offices if you experience discrimination or hate crime in your dealings with the City of Munich (e.g. at a municipal school or in your contact with social services). It is part of their responsibility to initiate change processes that raise awareness for hate crime and discrimination in public authorities and administrations.
Independent documentation and research centres
Not only do the centres listed here document incidents that were reported to the authorities, they also keep records of those that were not reported. Reporting an incident to one of the documentation and research centres mentioned below can help to raise awareness among professionals and in Munich’s urban society about the extent of hate crime in our city.
Get help
Filter
Institution
Expertise
Munich Police Force
Department 105 for Prevention and Victim Protection
München Chronik
List of right-wing and discriminatory incidents and activities
Help in the event of sexualised or domestic violence
RIAS Bayern
Research and information centre for antisemitism in Bavaria – Centre for the reporting of antisemitic incidents
REspect!
The office to report online incitement
Munich Police Force
Department 105 for Prevention and Victim Protection
GEWOFAG Ombudsperson
Centre for the reporting of antiziganist incidents
Verband Deutscher Sinti und Roma, Landesverband Bayern e.V.
Madhouse
LeTRa
Beratungsstelle des Vereins LesCommunity e.V.
Coordination centre for LGBTIQ+ equality
Municipal office on sexual and gender identity issues
Hate Aid
Gender Equality Office
Municipal counselling centre in the area of gender discrimination and sexism
Frauen*notruf München
Counselling centre
Counselling & anti-discrimination centre in the Office of the Disability Officer
Counselling centre for persons who have experienced discrimination due to their disability
Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency
Contact point for discrimination and right-wing hate at Munich schools
Centre for Democracy
BEFORE
Counselling centre for victims of right-wing and group-related dehumanising violence and discrimination in Munich
B.U.D. Bayern
Independent contact point for victims of right-wing, racist & antisemitic violence in Bavaria