Know Before You Go

GERMANY A Guide to Keep You Safe Abroad provided by: Pathways to Safety International

Updated May 2019 KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: 2

Let’s be perfectly clear, the number one way to prevent sexual assault is to not rape. While the responsibility of ending sexual gender based violence is on the perpetrators, this guide will offer general safety tips, country-specific information, and resources to help prevent and prepare travelers for the possibility of sexual assault abroad. GENERAL SAFETY TIPS: 1. Use the buddy system and travel with friends. 7 out of 10 2. Be aware of social and cultural norms. For example, looking at someone in rapes are the eyes when you speak to them is perfectly normal in the U.S., but in committed another country that could signify you’re interested in the person. by someone known to the 3. Recognize controlling behavior when entering a relationship. Most rape 1 survivors recall feeling “uncomfortable” about some of their partner’s behaviors victim such as degrading jokes/language or refusal to accept “no” as an answer, whether in a sexual context or otherwise.2 4. Avoid secluded places where you could be more vulnerable. Meet new people in public spaces and let a trusted friend know where you’ll be beforehand. Always have a backup plan in mind. 5. Trust your gut. Many victims have a “bad feeling” right before an assault takes place. It’s okay to leave a situation that is making you feel uncomfortable. Stay alert and aware in new social settings and places. ALCOHOL AND DRUG AWARENESS: • Always watch your drink being poured and carry it yourself, even to the bathroom. • “Drug-facilitated sexual assault drugs,” also referred to as club drugs or roofies may turn your drink slightly salty, bright blue, or cloudy. Effects such as distorted judgment, loss sense of time, sight, sound, identity, and overall consciousness can be felt within 15 minutes and may last up to 4 hours.3

• The legal drinking age for beer and wine is 16, the legal drinking age for spirits and to be permitted into bars and clubs is 18.4 The German laws regulating alcohol are some of the least restrictive in the world. Their legislation is designed to teach young people an appropriate approach to alcohol consumption.5

CULTURAL INFORMATION: Major Religions: Christian 66%, Muslim 6.9%, Unaffiliated 26.3%, 0.8% Other6 Legal System: Germany has Federal and State level government, with Federal law and legislative bodies having more authority. Germany has both criminal and family law courts and specialized courts. Each case is heard and determined by up to five judges, depending on the severity of the crime.7, 8 Social/Cultural Norms: are generally stoic people (although this is more true in Northern Germany), who place great emphasis on respect and punctuality. Germans are proud of their accomplishments, specifically classical music and architecture.9 Jokes which insinuate a fault or inadequacy of oneself or another should not be made.10 Gender Equality: According to the 2018 Global Gender Gap Report, Germany ranked 14th out of 149 countries in terms of gender equality, compared to the US which ranked 51st. While men dominate the political sphere, both men and women have equal access to healthcare and education. Economically, women are gaining bargaining power and status.11 KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: GERMANY 3

SEXUAL ASSAULT AND THE LAW: German Context Germany expanded its definition of sexual assault in 2016 after receiving criticism that the former definition did not explicitly mention consent and allowed cases to be dismissed if evidence showed the victim did not fight back.12 The amended law now defines sexual assault as taking place when the victim does not consent or is unable to consent, as well as by force, coercion, threat, abuse of authority, and other circumstances.13, 14 There was a significant increase in cases of sexual assault in 2016.14 Individuals under the age of 21 who have intercourse with a person under the age of 14 are considered to have violated the law.15

If You Experience Sexual Assault… LGBTQ CONCERNS Don’t blame yourself! Sexual assault is never the fault of the victim. You may be unsure of how to proceed, and that’s okay. First, and activities are consider taking the following actions: all legal in Germany. based on or , and 1. If you are in a safe place, call someone you trust to be with you. If same sex marriages are recognized by the you are not safe, call someone you trust to come and get you. state. It is safe for LGBTQ victims to report to 2. Do self-collection of evidence. Put all of the clothes you were wear- both and to the police. When polled, ing, bed sheets, and so on in a paper bag. If you have any injuries, 87% of the public agreed that homosexuality take pictures. If there is semen present, collect what you can and should be accepted by society.19 Germany put it in the paper bag. has the largest population of LGBTQ people 3. Call a Pathways to Safety International Advocate internationally toll in , and is considered a hub for free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They can help you through the LGBTQ culture.20, 21 ordeal, honoring your decisions. (See Resources for contact info.)

EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION (EC), MEDICAL CARE AND REPORTING POST-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS (PEP), SEXUAL ASSAULT IN GERMANY AND ABORTION INFORMATION Medical care includes an examination for injuries, a gyne- Q: Are emergency contraception and cological exam, and a clinical exam. The doctors are bound post-exposure prophylaxis available? by confidentiality and will not report the incident unless A: EC in the form of the “morning-after pill” is the victim chooses to do so.16 If you choose to report a available at pharmacies without a prescrip- 22 sexual assault to the police, it is important to know that tion for around 20 USD. PEP is also avail- able in Germany, but a victim might have the legal process can be very frustrating for victims. Sexual to ask for it during an examination.23 violence cases are handled by the Department for Offences

Against People, reporting directly to their office will avoid Q: Is abortion legal in Germany? 17 the need to make multiple statements. The Gewaltschutz A: Abortion is legal within the first 14 weeks of Ambulanz resource listed below will collect evidence and gestation, defined as 12 weeks after fertiliza- store it for a year, allowing a victim more time if they are tion and requires a counseling session and unsure they want to press charges. Although a 2012 study three days to pass after the session before found Germany to have the lowest conviction rate for the procedure. However, if the pregnancy is a reported cases of sexual assault,18 the German police are result of sexual crimes, abortion is available under heavier scrutiny at present and the updated legal without counseling. After 14 weeks abortion is definition should allow for a greater number of cases to only legal in order to preserve the psycholog- 24 lead to a conviction. ical and/or physical health of the mother. KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: GERMANY 4

RESOURCES PATHWAYS TO SAFETY INTERNATIONAL U.S. EMBASSIES/CONSULATES : Clayallee 170, 14191 Berlin Crisis Line: To call our confidential, toll-free International Tel: +49-30-8305-0 Crisis Line, first dial the country specific AT&T access code for Germany: (0-800-225-5288). Then, at the DÜSSELDORF: Willi-Becker-Allee 10, 40227 Düsseldorf prompt, enter our phone number: 833-SAFE-833 Tel: +49-211-788-8927 (833-723-3833) : Gießener Str. 30, 60435 Frankfurt am Main Crisis Email: Connect with a Pathways Advocate via email Tel: +49-69-7535-0 at [email protected]. All crisis emails will : Alsterufer 27/28, 20354 Hamburg be responded to within 24 hours. *For immediate help, Tel: +49-40-411 71-100 please call our crisis line. : Wilhelm-Seyfferth-Straße 4, 04107 Leipzig Live Chat: Pathways online chat service is available 24/7 Tel: +49-341-213-840 on our website at pathwaystosafety.org. : Königinstraße 5, 80539 München Tel: +49-89-2888-0 ANTI-VIOLENCE ORGANIZATIONS ALL OF GERMANY: Help Portal for Sexual Abuse (Hotline) SELECTED LIST OF HOSPITALS BERLIN: Charité Campus Benjamin Franklin Tel: 0800 22 55 530 Freie Universitätklinikum Hindenburgdamm 30

Tel: 030-8445-0 BERLIN: Bundesverband Gewaltschutz Ambulanz Tel: +49 30 450 570 270 Frauenberatungsstellen und Frauennotrufe Petersburgerstr. 94,10247 Berlin FRANKFURT: Bethesda Krankenhaus Tel: 030 322 99 500 Hohenheimer Str. 21, 70184 Stuttgart Website: https://www.frauen-gegen-gewalt.de/home.html Tel: 0711-2156-0 FrauenNachtCafé MUNICH: Harlachinger Krankenhaus , Friesenstrasse 6 Sanatoriumsplatz 2, 81545 Munich Tel: 030 61 62 09 70 Tel: (089) 62101 Website: http://www.wildwasser-berlin.de/frauennachtcafe.htm HAMBURG: BG Klinikum Hamburg LARA Crisis Center for Women Bergedorfer Straße 10, 21033 Hamburg Tel: 49 216 88 88 Tel: 040 7306-0 Website: http://www.lara-berlin.de Emergency Tel: 040 7306-1230 FREIBURG: Frauenhorizonte Center for Sexually Assaulted Women EMERGENCY NUMBERS Basler Str. 8, Police: 110 / Fire and Ambulance: 112 Helpline: 0761 2 85 85 85 *Note: You cannot call 112 with a phone without SIM card. Website: http://www.frauenhorizonte.de/ Department for Offences Against People: Tel: (030) 4664-913500

The information in this guide has been gathered from public sources, is for informational purposes only, and is not vetted, endorsed or guaranteed by Pathways to Safety International. Pathways to Safety International is not rendering legal advice by making this guide available, is not a law enforcement agency, and does not engage in law enforcement activity. If you have any legal questions or concerns, you should consult a qualified legal or other professional that can consider the particulars of your specific case. Pathways to Safety International reserves the right to change or make corrections to this guide at any time, and will not be liable for any errors, inaccuracy or omissions contained herein. KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: GERMANY 5

REFERENCES

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