Stories that inspire courage

It takes courage to talk about sexual abuse. Meet people who have mustered up that courage or who encourage others.

    Zwei blaue Sprechblasen zueinander ausgerichtet mit jeweils drei Punkten in der Mitte.

    Interview | Sport

    The reactions from members of the public showed me that I am not alone. There are a lot of people who feel the same way. Today I am happy. My life goes on. I have a good relationship with my body and my sexuality.

    Lisa-Marie Kreutz

    Survivor

    To The Interview
    Frau mit langen blonden Haaren und weißem Oberteil steht vor Bäumen. Sie lächelt mit breitem Grinsen seitwärts in die Kamera.

    Interview | Society

    I would have liked the people around me to ask me how I am and if everything is okay at home. There were so many times in my life when it was clear that something was wrong with me.

    Lisa Fahrig

    Member of the Council of Victims and Survivors

    To The Interview

    Interview | Therapy

    Being sexually abused by a woman was extremely damaging to my masculinity. I felt very conflicted for many years. It was really tough for me. It took me a long time to reconcile these two sides.

    Nicolas Haaf

    Member of the Council of Victims and Survivors

    To The Interview
    [Translate to Englisch:] Porträtfoto Nicolas Haaf

    Interview | Counselling

    Such a sensitive and personal topic always needs courage. But I do believe that making a call helps. It is a first step, a first "mustering up the courage". And that alone often makes all subsequent steps much easier.

    Tanja von Bodelschwingh

    Counsellor at the Sexual Abuse Help Line

    TO THE INTERVIEW
    [Translate to Englisch:] Porträtfoto Tanja von Bodelschwingh

    Interview | Processing things

    We want to learn from these stories. That is the central element of coming to terms with what happened: Looking back should form the basis of learning for the sake of today and for the future.

    Barbara Kavemann

    Member of the Independent Commission for Dealing with Child Sexual Abuse

    TO THE INTERVIEW
    [Translate to Englisch:] Porträtfoto Barbara Kavemann

    Interview | Self-Help

    In our self-help group, men can show their weaknesses and are not laughed at, but are respected. That alone is an experience: I don't have to play the tough guy, I can be seen to be vulnerable.

    Max Ciolek

    Member of the Council of Victims and Survivors

    TO THE INTERVIEW
    [Translate to Englisch:] Porträtfoto Max Ciolek

    Interview | Law

    The developments I observe in many of the victims and survivors are very encouraging and motivating. Often they can find their old self again during this long process.

    Petra Ladenburger
    Lawyer

    TO THE INTERVIEW
    [Translate to Englisch:] Porträtfoto Petra Ladenburger

    Interview | People with disabilities

    In acute crisis situations in particular, it greatly helps to seek advice from outside and not just stay in your own circle. We look at everything from an independent viewpoint and can help people view the situation neutrally.

    Pia Witthöft

    Head of the "Mutstelle" Counselling Centre

    TO THE INTERVIEW
    [Translate to Englisch:] Porträtfoto Pia Witthöft

    Stories that inspire courage

    Interview | Sport

    The reactions from members of the public showed me that I am not alone. There are a lot of people who feel the same way. Today I am happy. My life goes on. I have a good relationship with my body and my sexuality.

    Lisa-Marie Kreutz

    Survivor

    To the Interview
    Frau mit langen blonden Haaren und weißem Oberteil steht vor Bäumen. Sie lächelt mit breitem Grinsen seitwärts in die Kamera.

    Interview | Society

    I would have liked the people around me to ask me how I am and if everything is okay at home. There were so many times in my life when it was clear that something was wrong with me.

    Lisa Fahrig

    Member of the Council of Victims and Survivors

    To the Interview
    [Translate to Englisch:] Porträtfoto Lisa Fahrig

    Interview | Therapy

    Being sexually abused by a woman was extremely damaging to my masculinity. I felt very conflicted for many years. It was really tough for me. It took me a long time to reconcile these two sides.

    Nicolas Haaf

    Member of the Council of Victims and Survivors

    To the interview

    Interview | Counselling

    Such a sensitive and personal topic always needs courage. But I do believe that making a call helps. It is a first step, a first "mustering up the courage". And that alone often makes all subsequent steps much easier.

    Tanja von Bodelschwingh

    Counsellor at the Sexual Abuse Help Line

    To the interview
    [Translate to Englisch:] Porträtfoto Tanja von Bodelschwingh

    Interview | Dealing with Child Sexual Abuse

    We want to learn from these stories. That is the central element of coming to terms with what happened: Looking back should form the basis of learning for the sake of today and for the future.

    Barbara Kavemann

    Member of the Independent Commission for Dealing with Child Sexual Abuse

    To the interview
    [Translate to Englisch:] Porträtfoto Barbara Kavemann

    Interview | Self-help

    In our self-help group, men can show their weaknesses and are not laughed at, but are respected. That alone is an experience: I don't have to play the tough guy, I can be seen to be vulnerable.

    Max Ciolek

    Member of the Council of Victims and Survivors

    To the interview
    [Translate to Englisch:] Porträtfoto Max Ciolek

    Interview | Law

    The developments I observe in many of the victims and survivors are very encouraging and motivating. Often they can find their old self again during this long process.

    Petra Ladenburger
    Lawyer

    To the interview
    [Translate to Englisch:] Porträtfoto Petra Ladenburger

    Interview | People with disabilities

    In acute crisis situations in particular, it greatly helps to seek advice from outside and not just stay in your own circle. We look at everything from an independent viewpoint and can help people view the situation neutrally.

    Pia Witthöft

    Head of the "Mutstelle" Counselling Centre

    To the interview
    [Translate to Englisch:] Porträtfoto Pia Witthöft
      Blaues Smartphone, aus dem eine blaue Sprechblase herauskommt. Der Untergrund ist ein hellblauer Kreis.

      Give us a call – even if you're unsure

      Talk to the advisors of the Sexual Abuse Help Line. Your call is anonymous and free of charge.

      0800 22 55 530

      Telephone hours:

      Mon, Wed, Fri: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
      Tues, Thurs: 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

      Zwei blaue Sprechblasen kreuzen sich, mit Pfeilen nach oben und unten ausgerichtet. In der oberen Sprechblase sind drei Punkte. Im Hintergrund befindet sich ein rosa Kreis.

      Send us a message

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      The Sexual Abuse Help Line also offers advice by email. By registering, the advice service remains confidential.

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