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Assistance for Victims of Right-Wing Hate Crimes
Counseling services are available for victims, their families and friends, as well as witnesses of right-wing attacks.
Nobody is allowed to discriminate against you on the basis of your appearance, skin color, family background, religion, lifestyle or beliefs. If somebody offends, threatens or attacks you on account of any of these factors, she or he is committing a crime. Right-wing hate crimes are influenced by misanthropic ideologies and prejudices against certain groups of people, for example by:
- racism, anti-Semitism and Islamophobia
- hatred of left-wingers and democrats
- contempt of alternative youth cultures
- contempt of homeless, unemployed, sick or handicapped persons
- homophobia.
It is your personal perception that is crucial for the assessment of an attack as a right-wing crime, not the judgment of others such as the police or witnesses.
What We Can Do for You
We will help you We will help you, and the people you know, when right-wing offences, harassment or physical attacks have occurred. Our counselors can offer advice on how to deal with the experience of right-wing hate crimes and their effects. In some cases, a single consultation will be enough; with others, more time is needed. Minors can also contact us without the permission of their parents or legal guardians.
Know your rights We will explain to you the course of criminal proceedings in Germany. We can also accompany you to the police, to the courts, or help you find a lawyer.
Your social situation We will talk to you about your social and financial situation and can assist you in claiming compensation for the pain and suffering you have endured. We can advise you on issues related to insurance and health care matters.
Your mental and physical health We can provide for medical treatment if needed. You can talk to us about your fears and anxieties. If you should need psychotherapeutic assistance, we can refer you to professionals.
Contacts for other organizations If you are interested in going public by discussing what has happened to you and help expose the threat of right-wing violence, we can connect you with other NGOs, political organizations and the media.
Our Counseling Services
They are local Our counselors will come to you, anywhere in Brandenburg. You can decide where you would like to meet.
They are free of charge You will not have to pay for any of our services. There are no financial obligations involved.
They can be provided in different languages We can provide interpreters for almost all languages.
They are based on your own needs and decisions Everything we do is on a voluntary basis. You are the one who will decide whether to use our counseling services and which steps you would like to take. We are only there to assist you.
We respect your privacy Everything you tell us will be treated with absolute confidentiality. We will not pass on any information to third parties without your agreement.
We are a nonpartisan and independent organization Our counseling service is independent from all party and state authorities.
We are on your side and respect your interests Everything we do will be based on your personal needs and interests. Our organization was founded on the principle that more respect must be given to all victims of right-wing crimes.
Who We Are
Every week there are incidents of violent hate crimes. People get beaten and harassed because they clash with the ideologies and worldviews of right-wing extremists. Frequently, these attacks lead to the victims feeling insecure and vulnerable; feelings that remain with them in their daily lives. In many cases, the victims are left alone with their fears. A lack of compassion for the victims of hate crimes can lead to a situation where right-wing offenders believe that they act on behalf of the vast majority of society. Silence means consent. The aim of our organization is to break this silence and to create a climate of tolerance where everybody can live in peace and without fear.
The Opfersperspektive provides assistance and counseling services to victims of right-wing attacks in Brandenburg. We collect and publish information on right-wing hate crimes and act on behalf of the individuals and groups that are affected. It is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization and has the legal status of a charitable association. We receive funding from the program »Tolerantes Brandenburg«, but we also rely on donations.
(OPP)
