Additional Financial Aid

There are also multiple foundations, funds and associations which offer financial aid for victims of crimes, separate from the OEG. Most are for a specific group of victims or certain regions. There are certain funds which support groups of victims that still suffer from the consequences of the crime committed against them or still have impairments today.

A few states (Länder) have foundations, which offer additional financial aid to victims of violent crimes.

Baden-Württemberg

Bayern

Niedersachsen

Rheinland-Pfalz

Schleswig-Holstein

The Weiße Ring e.V. offers counsel as well as issuing assistance checks by paying the victim’s fee for an initial visit to an attorney, by assuming the cost of an initial trauma counseling session and by assuming the cost of a legal medical investigation. Additionally, they offer financial aid in economic crisis caused by crime.

Furthermore the Kölner Opferhilfe, an association which also offers financial aid, is especially useful for people in Cologne.

Victims of sexual abuse in family or institutions have the option to turn to the Fonds Sexueller Missbrauch.

Persons who suffered pain and wrongdoing as children and adolescents in institutions for the handicapped or the Psychiatry can turn to the Stiftung Anerkennung und Hilfe, which has been in service since 01/01/2017.

Up until the 31^st of December 2019, victims can register for individual counseling as well as provisions of support and recognition.

Persons who suffered pain and wrongdoing through residential care in the years 1949-1975, could register claims with the Fonds Heimerziehung.

As of the 31^st of December 2018 the fund has ceased its work. This date marked the end of its period of validity as defined by §10 Paragraph 1. Thus, the possibility of receiving financial aid through this fund has ended.

However there are still consulting services for former residents of residential care institutions in some states (Länder).

Victims of extremist crimes or terrorist attacks or their surviving dependents have the possibility to receive financial aid. To receive this aid, they must apply for Hardship Provisions for Victims of Extremist Crimes or Terrorist Attacks at the Federal Office of Justice.

Eligible to apply are persons who were injured bodily or in their general right to protection of personality through extremist or terrorist crimes. This means that payments can also be received as a result of insults or threats toward ones person. There are however, no payments for damage to property. Also eligible to apply are surviving dependents as well as so-called first responders.

Victims of terrorist attacks in Germany and their surviving dependents can also turn to the Beauftragter der Bundesregierung, who is the main contact for all of the victims’ concerns with regards to domestic terrorist attacks.

General

Sexual Abuse

Handicapped Assistance and Psychiatry

Residential Care for Children and Young People

Extremist Crimes and Terrorist Attacks

Further Information

Persons who suffer damage to their health by means of a violent crime are possibly entitled to government benefits by way of the Crime Victims Compensation Act (OEG). Click here for further information.