BEFORE gives advice, informs, accompanies and supports.
The first talk should take place as soon as possible after an incident in our offices in the Munich city centre. Alternatively, the person seeking advice can select a place of their own choice.
People who are indirectly involved, such as relatives, friends or people who have witnessed the incident, will be advised in exactly the same way as those who are directly affected.
How do we advise people?
- Confidentially. The talks are held in a protected atmosphere and are handled confidentially.
- Anonymously. No personal data can be gathered from the fact-finding related to the case.
- Free of charge.
- Independently from public authorities. We do our work independently with no influence from, for example, the police or the law courts.
- Partially. We support only the perspectives and the interests of the people seeking advice.
- Voluntarily.
- Multi-lingually. In the event of communication difficulties we employ the services of interpreters.
Our services are to be seen as a flexible, intermeshed repertoire. The starting point is a concerted clarification of the assignment and the objectives. All our counselling work is oriented towards the needs and desires of the people seeking advice and only takes place in close consultation with them.
What do we offer specifically?
- Assistance making decisions and the strengthening of personal competence.
- Psychosocial advice. Together with the people seeking advice we analyse their current situation and assist them with the emotional processing of their experiences. If desired, we can make provide contact to trauma clinics and therapists.
- Accompaniment, if desired, to lawyers, doctors, therapists, public authorities, police and court cases.
- Preparation of court cases and follow-up support. We inform about legal possibilities such as bringing a charge against someone, incidental action and the legal position in criminal proceedings. Bringing a charge is, however, not a prerequisite for counselling.
- Consultation concerning financial support (legal costs, compensation payments etc.). We assist people when applying for financial aid and help them to fill out the application forms.
- Providing case-related contact information.
- Information about complementary advice centres.
- Advice concerning intercourse with the media. If the victims are approached by journalists, we support them, if desired, or talk to the public on their behalf.
- Research, information and analyses concerning the magnitude of the threat.