Verein für Internationale Jugendarbeit - Stuttgart

Advocacy and Support for Migrant Women and victims of trafficking

FIZ assists migrant women in despair. The focus is on women who have been trafficked to Germany and who have been sexually and/or financially exploited and on women who suffer violence at the hands of their husbands, partners or employers. Besides clients who were forced into prostitution, the percentage of women who are exploited in domestic work is rising.

FIZ supports women in developing and realizing their individual perspectives and life strategies, in finding their strengths and their ability to make decisions and act, so that they can regain control of their lives.
We also facilitate access to social institutions and their services.

We are counselling migrant women having difficulties in their marriage:

• psychosocial counselling, e.g. in case of separation of husband / divorce
• information about legal rights concerning residence permit, social welfare
• assistance in dealing with immigration or administration offices, Job-Center, lawyers
• assistance in case of return to country of origin

We are counselling migrant women who are exploited in domestic work:

• if you work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, without holidays
• if you are not paid when you are ill
• if you are not registered at the social insurance system

We offer:

• psychosocial counselling
• information about legal rights, concerning residency matters, labour rights …
• if needed, cooperation with lawyers or psychologists
• Support in case of return to the country of origin, collaboration with authorities in the country of origin

We are counselling migrant women who are victims of trafficking:

• Crisis intervention, psychosocial counselling
• Safe shelter
• Legal advice and intervention with respect to residency matters and the German criminal code
• Evaluation of risks involved in remaining in Germany and returning to the country of origin
• If applicable, financial assistance
• Assistance with criminal proceedings, assistance at court
• Organisation of daily routine
• Collaboration with specialized lawyers, doctors and therapists
• Support in case of return to the country of origin, collaboration with authorities in the country of origin

FIZ provides consultations in German, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Romanian, Thai, Specialized interpreters are available for other languages.