Schutz gegen Gewalt (protection against violence)

• You are a victim of violence e.g. abuse, physical injury, or psychological violence such as stalking

• Application To obtain protection from violence, you must file an application (Antrag) with the competent Familiengericht (family court). The application can be made orally at the court's Rechtsantragsstelle (legal application office) or submitted in writing to the court. If you wish your place of residence to be kept confidential, you must state this explicitly when filing your application. In that case, neither your application nor the court's decision (Beschluss) will list your address. • Detailed written account of the facts Your application must contain a detailed and specific description of the recent events. You must also state whether there have been previous acts of violence and how they occurred. All incidents should be described as precisely as possible, with the date of each occurrence. Every violent incident must be described so the court can follow and assess it. General or formulaic wording such as "I was hit and threatened" is not sufficient. • Deliverable address of the perpetrator This is usually the registered address (Meldeanschrift). If the police have already barred the perpetrator from your home or prohibited them from entering it, you must state where this person is actually staying so that the court's decision can be served on them. What matters here is not where this person is registered, but solely their actual place of residence. • Personalausweis (identity card) or passport If you file the application orally at the court's Rechtsantragsstelle, you must show identification. • Police case numbers and all documents issued by the police If available, you should present these documents when filing your application or attach them to your written application. • Medical certificates or proof of treatment If you received medical care after the violent incidents, you should present medical certificates and proof of treatment when filing your application or attach them to your written application. • Photos If you have photos documenting your injuries, you should present them when filing your application or attach them to your written application.

Court fees will apply, based on the value of the matter in dispute (Verfahrenswert). In addition, expenses may arise that are incurred by the court, e.g. for expert opinions and interpreter costs. Lawyer's fees may also be incurred. You can apply for Verfahrenskostenhilfe (legal aid) service.berlin.de/dienstleistung/327008/ if you are not financially able to pay the costs of proceedings.

• Gewaltschutzgesetz (GewSchG, Protection Against Violence Act) § 1 www.gesetze-im-internet.de/gewschg/__1.html • Gesetz über das Verfahren in Familiensachen und in den Angelegenheiten der freiwilligen Gerichtsbarkeit (FamFG, Act on Proceedings in Family Matters and in Matters of Non-Contentious Jurisdiction) Section 7 www.gesetze-im-internet.de/famfg/BJNR258700008.html#BJNR2587 • Gesetz über Gerichtskosten in Familiensachen (FamGKG, Act on Court Costs in Family Matters) www.gesetze-im-internet.de/famgkg/

• Orts- und Gerichtsverzeichnis (register of localities and courts) www.justizadressen.nrw.de/de/justiz/suche

Responsibility (Zuständigkeit) for Gewaltschutzverfahren (proceedings under the Protection against Violence Act) always lies with the four Familiengerichte (family courts), and as the applicant you may choose between • the family court in whose district the act was committed, • the family court in whose district the parties' shared residence is located, or • the family court in whose district the person who committed the act has their habitual residence.