The Frauenhaus of Stuttgart and Frauen helfen Frauen

Since early in our club history, Frauen helfen Frauen e.V. (FHF) has been the designated charity of the IWC Stuttgart and each year we are proud to be able to donate several thousand euros to help make the lives of the women and children in their women’s shelter a little better than it would otherwise be.

In March of 2016, we were fortunate to have a visit from FHF social workers Andrea Bosch and Giulia Scheurer, who gave club members a presentation about their organization and exactly what our donations are used for.

ABOUT FRAUEN HELFEN FRAUEN

FHF

Frauen helfen Frauen Stuttgart e.V. is a non-profit group dedicated to protecting women and children from domestic violence in the greater Stuttgart area. They offer three distinct but related services with counseling and advice through BIF (Beratung & Information für Frauen), assistance with crisis and intervention situations through FIS (FrauenInterventionsstelle), and the Frauenhaus itself.

The FHF Frauenhaus, or women’s shelter, was founded in 1983 and is the largest of its kind in Baden Württemberg with places for 40 women and children. Approximately 40,000 women and children seek refuge in similar shelters across the country each year. FHF alone receives several inquiries each week about available spaces.

Frauen helfen Frauen Stuttgart is a non-profit group that is partially funded though the city of Stuttgart and the state of Baden Württemberg. The remainder of their operating budget comes from donations and fundraising. Some of their budget is also covered by fines paid by persons who have gone through the court system for criminal actions.

Donations can be spent as needed by FHF in any of its three divisions or earmarked for specific use.

LIFE AT THE FRAUENHAUS

Places at the Frauenhaus are reserved for women over the age of 18 and their children who are suffering from physical, mental, or sexual violence at the hands of a partner, spouse, or family member. The average stay is 120 days. Each woman or family who comes to stay has their own private room with a shared bathroom and kitchen space.

The 10 professional social workers at the shelter offer support, counseling, therapies, and group activities. The goal is to foster independence and help the women make the transition to a new life, if that is what they decide to do. The location of the Frauenhaus is secret to keep the women and children safe from further violence.

Art therapy

After their time in the shelter, about 20-25% of women return to their partners (although many will come back to the shelter later) and approximately 50% start a new life in their own flat. Some also go to other shelters or group homes for single mothers.

WHAT ARE IWCS DONATIONS USED FOR AT THE FRAUENHAUS?

Donations from the IWCS are earmarked for use in the shelter only.

Because the amount we donate to FHF can vary from year to year, our funds are not used in the general budget. Instead, they use our donation for variable and emergency expenses.

Tonfeld therapy

In past years, the money we donated to FHF was used for:

  • Passport renewals and travel to foreign embassies
  • Translation of official documents
  • Emergency money for newcomers
  • Medical treatment copays or eyeglasses
  • Excursions e.g. to a classical music concert at the Liederhalle with the women or to a Holiday on Ice show for the children
  • Seasonal celebrations such as Easter, summer, and Christmas parties
  • Tonfeld (clay) therapy for children
  • Low threshhold German language courses for women
Abb. 4

Additionally, every year in August they take the women and children on a summer holiday to Lake Constance. They travel by train to a small hotel a few kilometers from the lake and spend a few days swimming, crafting, playing, relaxing and taking day trip. They usually take a boat ride to Insel Mainau and visit a petting zoo. It is very often the first proper holiday many of them have ever had and helps with their mood and confidence. Your generous donations at our Charity Events have made these things possible!

MORE ABOUT OTHER FHF SERVICES

Women usually find out about the shelter through BIF or FIS, often in conjunction with the police. Although German domestic violence laws were strengthened in 2002, very often there is no prosecution because women are scared, have no real evidence, or just want to forget rather than go through the long court process.

The counseling center (BIF) is located in Stuttgart-Süd and offers free counseling to women in difficult situations such as domestic violence, divorce, or stalking. Their hotline is open daily for two hours and they are also available via email, chat, or by appointment.

The crisis center (FIS) is called upon when the police get involved in a domestic dispute. The law in Germany allows the police to send the husband away temporarily in case of violence and takes his house keys. FIS will counsel women about their next step during this critical time.

If you or someone you know could benefit from the free counseling offered by Frauen helfen Frauen, the number to the hotline is

(0711) 649 45 50

and it is staffed from 13:00 – 15:00 on Mondays and Wednesday and from 09:30 – 11:30 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

For anonymous counselling via email or chat visit their online portal.

HELP US HELP THE FRAUENHAUS

When you become a member of the IWC Stuttgart, you will have full access to all of our fundraising events and can also join our planning committee that make these events happen.

Please see our Charity webpage for more information.

Photos courtesy of Frauen helfen Frauen