Against sexualised violence against homosexual refugees

The weekly newspaper Die ZEIT published the investigative research "Falsche Freunde" (False Friends) on 10.05.2023. This research deals with systematic sexualised violence against gay, bisexual and queer male* refugees in Cologne.  In the past years, we as drawing Cologne organisations have also advised and accompanied clients* who have experienced and reported this form of violence in the context of our work. In all cases, the assaults came from supposed helpers. The affected clients* usually did not dare to press charges. The article explains the reasons that could be decisive for this.

The ZEIT article can be found under the following link: https://www.zeit.de/zeit-magazin/2023/20/hamiam-verein-koeln-missbrauch/seite-4 

We would like to offer affected persons who need counselling, information and legal assistance the help they need in their respective situations. Often there is great fear of defending oneself and protecting oneself against the perpetrators - due to dependency relationships, threats and false information. Here we offer counselling and referral to the appropriate agencies.
A detailed information flyer in different languages is intended to help sensitise those affected, those at risk, but also authorities, counselling centres and volunteers, and to show them the possibilities for a way out and their legal options.
 
All those who find the courage to want to defend themselves should be supported and not faced with insurmountable hurdles!
This courage often costs a lot - including money. That is why we are happy about every donation!

 
The subscribing Cologne organisations:
 
 SOFRA - Queer Migrants e.V.
 Kölner Flüchtlingsrat e.V.
 rubicon e.V.
 Caritas Association for the City of Cologne e.V.
 Fachdienstleistung Migration - Diakonisches Werk Köln und Region gGmbH
 agisra e.V.
 PAMOJA AFRIKA e.V.
 NaturFreunde Köln e.V.