Safety After an Assault or Threats: A Step-by-Step Plan and Key Contacts in Berlin

If you have experienced an assault, harassment, stalking, or threats, the priority is to regain control quickly: get to safety, access medical care, document evidence properly, and activate support. This guide provides a practical plan for the first minutes, the next 72 hours, and the following weeks—plus trusted contacts in Berlin.

If you are in immediate danger: call 110 (police) or 112 (ambulance/fire).

If you need urgent medical help but it is not life-threatening: call 116117 (medical on-call service).

Step 1: What to do in the first 30 minutes

1. Move to a safer place immediately

   Go to a well-lit, busy location (pharmacy, shop, café, hotel lobby). Ask staff to call the police or a taxi.

2. Call the right number

• 110: threats, assault, stalking, being followed, immediate danger

• 112: serious injury, heavy bleeding, breathing problems, loss of consciousness

• 116117: urgent medical assessment outside regular clinic hours (not life-threatening)

3. Contact a trusted person

   Share your location and whether you need pickup or accompaniment.

4. Do not argue with the perpetrator

   Your objective is safety, not resolution on the spot.

Step 2: Medical care and injury documentation in Berlin

Even if injuries look minor, medical assessment matters for your health and can be important later.

Urgent medical routes

• 112 for emergencies

• 116117 for urgent but non-emergency care

Forensic documentation without filing a police report (important)

Berlin offers options to document injuries in a way that can support later legal steps—even if you are not ready to report immediately. If you want this route, act quickly and keep injuries unaltered (no heavy makeup/filtering over bruises for photos).

Step 3: Evidence collection and digital safety

1. Write a brief incident log (as soon as you can)

• date/time/place and route taken

• description of the person(s): clothing, height, distinguishing features

• witnesses (names/contacts if possible)

• exact words of threats (as accurately as you remember)

2. Preserve digital evidence properly

• screenshots showing date/time, username, and platform context

• save full chat threads (not only selected messages)

• copy links/URLs to profiles, posts, comments

• store originals: avoid editing, cropping “for clarity,” or applying filters

3. Immediate digital security steps

• change passwords (unique) and enable two-factor authentication (2FA)

• review active sessions/devices; log out unknown devices

• reduce location exposure: disable geotags; avoid posting real-time whereabouts

  
  

Step 4: Police reporting and protective measures

Reporting options

In Berlin, you can report in person—and in many cases also submit information online. If there is active danger, always use 110.

Protective steps if the threat may repeat

If you face repeated stalking, harassment, or credible threats, you may need a structured safety plan and potentially protective/legal measures. A support organization can help you assess risk and choose the right pathway.

Step 5: Where to get help in Berlin (key contacts)

Below are reputable entry points depending on your situation:

General victim support

• WEISSER RING (Victim Support) – 116 006

LGBTQIA+ / queer-specific support

• LesMigraS (violence & discrimination support)

• MANEO (victim support, particularly for men and queer communities)

Domestic / partner violence

• BIG Hotline (Berlin)

• Nationwide helplines (Germany): 116 016 (violence against women), 0800 1239900 (violence against men)

Psychological crisis support (Berlin)

• Berliner Krisendienst (24/7 crisis support; regional numbers)

Discrimination by public institutions (Berlin/Germany)

• LADG Ombudsstelle Berlin

• Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency (Germany)

If your situation connects to residence status or asylum concerns, see Asylum.

72-hour plan and 30-day plan

Within the next 72 hours

• get medical assessment and (if relevant) injury documentation

• preserve evidence (digital + written log)

• evaluate repeat-risk: does the person know your address/workplace/route?

• contact a support service for practical guidance and emotional stabilization

Within the next 30 days

• consider legal options (reporting, protective measures, advice)

• arrange psychological support (trauma reactions are common and valid)

• update your daily safety plan: routes, check-ins, accompaniment, privacy settings

Checklist (save this)

Immediate safety

• I am in a safe place

• 110/112 called if needed

• A trusted person has been informed

Health & evidence

• Medical support accessed (112/116117/clinic)

• Photos of injuries taken (no filters, multiple angles)

• Screenshots/links/full chats saved

• Incident log written (time/place/witnesses/description)

Next steps

• Support organization contacted

• Passwords updated + 2FA enabled

• A follow-up plan (legal/medical/psychological) scheduled

FAQ

Do I have to report to police immediately?

No. Your first priority is safety and proper documentation. Many people decide about reporting later, once they feel safer and better supported.

What if the threats are “only online”?

Online threats matter. Preserve complete evidence (screenshots + links + full chat history) and strengthen account security (2FA, password changes, privacy review).

What if I’m in panic or psychological shock right now?

Contact a crisis service (e.g., Berliner Krisendienst) or ask a trusted person to stay with you. If you feel at risk of harming yourself or you cannot cope, call 112.

I’m afraid I won’t be believed. Is documentation still worth it?

Yes. Medical and time-stamped documentation can be very important later, even if you do not act immediately.

This guide is for informational purposes and does not replace individualized medical or legal advice. In emergencies call 110/112. Contact details and opening hours can change; verify via official channels when possible.

How we can help

If you are in Berlin, we can support you after threats or an attack by:

• creating a practical personal safety plan (offline + online)

• helping you navigate the right services (medical, psychosocial, legal)

• connecting you with LGBTQIA+-sensitive support and, where possible, accompaniment

• offering orientation related to Asylum when relevant

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