Standing up to violence takes courage and determination, a trait shown by the team at Frauennotruf every day.
Home, it should be a safe haven, a sanctuary, a place to live, laugh, and love. For an increasing number of people, this is sadly not the reality. In Germany, a Bundeskriminalamt report released in November 2025 stated that 2024 saw over 260,000 reported cases of domestic violence, a record high and a year-on-year increase of approximately 3.8%. Of the reported cases, approximately 73% of the victims were women and worryingly, the real figure is probably much higher as victims often suffer alone, in silence, too afraid to act. Even more worrisome is that the figures published by the BKA only report on domestic abuse. Unfortunately, violence against women and girls is a more widespread problem that can happen anywhere at any time, at work, in a restaurant, in a public park and other public places.
Everyone has the right to a life free of violence. When that right is broken, the physical injuries are horrific enough, but for survivors it is often the psychological damage and insecurities that prevent victims from getting the help they so desperately need. Violence against women is a subject shrouded in so much shame and taboo, so much so that survivors often blame themselves and the topic is rarely discussed openly. Even today, most cannot bring themselves to face the subject - a fact that is well known to Women’s Help organisations worldwide, including the Frauennotruf in Deggendorf (Women’s Emergency Helpline Deggendorf). More needs to be done, not only to help survivors, but also to raise awareness of the issue, let it be known that the violence cannot be tolerated or ignored and that as a society, we can all do our bit to make a change, and we’re extremely proud to stand up to Violence Against Women and Girls by supporting the Frauennotruf Centre Deggendorf with our annual donation.
For 30 years, the Frauennotruf centre’s amazing team of state-certified social workers have been providing a safe place for women and girls in Deggendorf seeking help in escaping violence. Whether per phone or in person, the centre’s team are always on hand to provide free, confidential guidance and support for both past and current situations, to support victims in developing strategies to escape the spiral of violence and just as importantly to regain the confidence to believe in themselves, their abilities and their strengths again.
In addition to supporting victims, the centre is open to those closest to the victims. Without professional help, it is often impossible for loved ones to understand how they can help, taking its toll on loved-ones, family and friends. Naturally, the Frauennotruf counselling centre will also be on hand, providing support services and much needed guidance.
Miriam Ulrich, Geschäftsführung Frauennotruf Deggendorf
Spenden sind essentiell wichtig für unsere Arbeit. Sie helfen uns, zusätzliche Angebote auf die Beine zu stellen und die Handlungsfähigkeit der Beratungsstelle zu sichern. Vielen Dank für die Unterstützung – sie macht wirklich einen Unterschied in der Arbeit mit von Gewalt betroffenen Frauen und Mädchen. Ein Leben ohne Gewalt ist ein Menschenrecht – und mit der Spende können wir genau daran arbeiten. Jede Unterstützung hilft uns, dieses Recht für Betroffene ein Stück mehr Wirklichkeit werden zu lassen
Beyond counselling, the centre operates in a multi-functional capacity, offering both intervention and prevention services. Intervention services include liaising with local law enforcement, who having had a case reported to them will support the victim in contacting the centre. From this point, the centre’s function is to support the victim through assessing the situation, counselling, organising transfers to other support organisations, and in the case of domestic abuse, developing a safety plan for the victim and their children. All conversations are in complete confidence and at a pace that best suits those in the care of the centre.
Mathias Pasquay, pascom GmbH CEO
A life free from violence is a fundamental human right. When that right is violated—especially within the home—the consequences are devastating. By standing with Frauennotruf and supporting their work, we aim not only to ease the financial burden of the center but also to raise awareness so that more people in need can find help. We want survivors to know they are not alone: there are people who care, who will walk beside them as they reclaim their confidence, their strength, and their dignity
In terms of prevention, the team at Frauennotruf are available to anyone who is concerned for the well-being and safety of a female family member, friend or colleague but is unsure of how best to proceed can contact the hotline. In such cases, the Frauennotruf team are always on hand to provide professional advice. Furthermore, the team offer training courses to help employees working in gastronomy, nightlife and other public establishments to identify situations and manage them accordingly, including “Ist Luisa hier?”, a Germany wide initiative similar to “Ask for Angela”, that gives women and girls with a code phrase to use to call for help should they be in a situation should they feel threatened.
If you, or someone you know, are suffering from the effects of abuse or violence, help is available. Please contact your local or nationwide helpline and/or your local police force.
In Deggendorf, the Frauennotruf helpline can be contacted directly via on 0991 / 38 24 60.
About Frauennotruf Deggendorf
Since its founding in 1992, the Deggendorf Women’s Emergency Hotline has become a central point of contact for women and girls who have experienced domestic or sexual violence.
The Women’s Emergency Hotline was established through the commitment of courageous and determined women who wanted to counter the silence and taboo surrounding violence against women. Even today, this topic is shrouded in shame and is all too often repressed or downplayed. Public relations work is a key component of the organisation’s activities. The goal is to raise public awareness and clearly communicate that violence must not be ignored – and that we can all do something about it.
The Women’s Emergency Hotline was founded through the dedication of courageous and determined women who wanted to challenge the silence and taboo surrounding violence against women. To ensure that the Deggendorf Women’s Helpline can continue to be a vital part of the social services landscape in the district, a great deal of commitment is needed. In addition to financial support from the Free State of Bavaria, the Lower Bavaria district, the district, and the city of Deggendorf, the organisation relies on substantial contributions from its own resources each year. This is made possible through volunteer work and the support of many dedicated individuals from the region.
The Frauennotruf Centre in Deggendorf offers free, confidential, and (if requested) anonymous counselling services to girls and women across the region, either per telephone or in-person at the organisation’s counselling centre in Deggendorf.
Founded in 1997, pascom develop next-generation Cloud Telephony Solutions for businesses.
We recognise that as an IT solutions vendor in a growing market, we are in the fortunate position where we can give back to society. Therefore, every year, our employees challenge themselves physically and emotionally in the pascom Get Fit Challenge, a challenge designed to not only keep fit, but also raise money for worthy causes within our community through their efforts.
For the 2025 Challenge, the goal posts were set even higher, meaning team PASCOM had to push themselves harder and even further than ever before. Once again, the team rose to the challenge admirably and smashed their target with weeks to spare. In doing so, they have raised a total of €10,000 for charitable donations in 2025.
For more information on our supported charities, our company and our Cloud telephony solution, please visit www.pascom.net.