Everything You Need to Know About Rebuilding Life After Violence: Housing, Employment, and Support Networks

Everything You Need to Know About Rebuilding Your Life After Violence: New Housing, Work and Support Networks in Germany

Escaping violence – whether physical, psychological or economic – is a brave and major step. At the same time, it marks the beginning of a new and often challenging journey towards rebuilding a safe and dignified life.
In Germany, there is a comprehensive support system that helps survivors with their next steps – from finding new housing and re-entering the labour market to building a new social network.

New Housing: The Beginning of Safety

1. Frauenhaus (Women’s Shelters)

A Frauenhaus (women’s shelter) is a safe and temporary refuge that provides survivors (often together with their children) with immediate protection, as well as:

• psychological and psychosocial counselling

• legal advice and support

After leaving the Frauenhaus, the search for permanent housing usually begins, often with support from:

• the Social Welfare Office (Sozialamt)

• the Jobcenter

• local charitable organisations and welfare associations

2. Financial Support for Rent

Survivors can apply for various types of support, such as:

• Housing benefit (Wohngeld) for people with low incomes

• Coverage of housing costs by the Jobcenter for those receiving unemployment or social benefits

3. Searching for a Flat

Counselling centres and non-profit organisations can help with:

• searching for affordable flats

• contacting landlords and housing companies

• preparing the necessary documents, for example:

  • a SCHUFA report (creditworthiness record)

  • proof of income or Jobcenter/Sozialamt decisions

Returning to Work: A Step Towards Independence

1. Employment and Qualification Counselling

The Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit) and the Jobcenter offer special programmes for women (and sometimes men) who have left violent situations, including:

• self-confidence and empowerment workshops

• short vocational training courses

• support for re-entering the labour market, for example through:

  • application coaching (Bewerbungscoaching)

  • help with CVs and cover letters

  • interview preparation and career guidance

2. Training and Continuing Education

There are opportunities to start a new vocational training (Ausbildung) or participate in continuing education (Weiterbildung) programmes to improve employment prospects, such as:

• retraining schemes

• specialist short courses

• job-related language courses

3. Financial Support During the Return to Work

Survivors may be entitled to:

• integration subsidies (Eingliederungszuschuss) – financial incentives for employers who hire people in difficult circumstances

• partial coverage of costs such as:

  • childcare expenses

  • transport and commuting costs to work, training or education

Building a Social Support Network

1. Self-Help Groups (Selbsthilfegruppen)

In self-help groups, survivors can share their experiences with other women or men who have gone through similar situations. This helps to:

• support psychological healing

• reduce the feeling of being alone

• encourage mutual support and empowerment

2. Social Activities

Important building blocks for a new life include:

• language courses

• art, creative or sports activities

• meetings in family centres, community centres or local associations

These activities help to:

• build new friendships and social contacts

• structure everyday life

• strengthen self-esteem and a sense of self-worth

3. Ongoing Psychological Support

Survivors can access longer-term psychotherapy, especially trauma therapy (Traumatherapie).
In many cases, the costs can be covered by statutory or private health insurance. Therapy supports:

• processing traumatic experiences

• dealing with fear, guilt or shame

• developing a stable new life perspective

The Role of Associations and Organisations

Organisations such as:

• Frauenberatungsstellen (women’s counselling centres)

• Weisser Ring (victim support organisation)

• Kinderschutzbund (German Child Protection Association)

offer:

• legal counselling

• psychological and social support

• accompaniment throughout all steps of rebuilding, for example:

  • searching for housing

  • dealing with authorities and administrative offices

  • support in court or official appointments

  • assistance regarding work, training and childcare

Conclusion

Rebuilding life after violence is not just a practical step – it is a long healing process in which survivors gradually regain trust in themselves and in the world around them.
With the support available in Germany, it is possible to transform pain into strength and to start again with more safety and confidence.

Remember:
You do not have to go through this journey alone – there are always people, organisations and services ready to help and stand by your side.

Important German Terms

• Frauenhaus: women’s shelter / women’s refuge

• Wohngeld: housing benefit

• Jobcenter: job and basic income support office

• Selbsthilfegruppe: self-help / peer support group

• Traumatherapie: trauma-focused psychotherapy

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The website’s team of authors and editors strives to provide accurate information based on careful research and consultation of multiple sources. Nevertheless, errors may occur or some details may not yet be fully confirmed. The information in this article should therefore be considered as an initial point of reference, and for binding and up-to-date guidance you should always contact the competent authorities and professional services.