WEISSER RING turns 40

WEISSER RING, Germany’s largest victim support organization, turns 40 years old. The association was founded on September 24th, 1976 in Mainz by 17 founding members – among them the well-known journalist and host of „Aktenzeichen XY…ungelöst“ Eduard Zimmermann. „Since then WEISSER RING has been giving a voice to victims of crime“, said Roswitha Müller-Piepenkötter, National Chair of WEISSER RING at the anniversary ceremony held at the Paulskirche in Frankfurt.

Over the past 40 years the association has contributed enormously to improve the legal and social situation of victims of crime and to bring about positive changes in their environment, said Müller-Piepenkötter. The National Chair described as exemplary the state support for victims which has been continuously improved over the years, as well as the increased rights for victims in criminal proceedings. „But our work is far from done. We still see a need for improvement to provide a really good and substantial assistance to those seeking help”, so the National Chair.
WEISSER RING is critical about the current plans of the Federal government concerning the crime victims compensation law (Opferentschädigungsgesetz). On the one hand these plans foresee a significant reduction of benefit payments. On the other hand there is a will to create a new federal agency to deal with the victim compensation law and compensation payments. „This would only create additional and unnecessary bureaucracy” the National Chair complained. “Victims need efficient support, quick procedures and financial security. They don’t need another federal agency in the field of compensation”.
With the introduction of the victim compensation law which has also existed for 40 years the legislator has generally improved the situation of victims. But often victims still have to wait too long and overcome too many obstacles to make use of financial aid or therapies. Often compensation procedures take years from the application until the granting of benefits. Individuals who had to go through an act of violence are thus further burdened. Additionally the application process is sometimes complicated. „Bureaucracy must be scrutinized, modified and simplified in the interests of victims“, Müller-Piepenkötter stressed. Quicker and more efficient compensation procedures are needed – through reforms within the existing regulatory system. A reduction of benefits, however, would be a further deterioration of the conditions for victims of crime.
During the anniversary ceremony in the Paulskirche the speakers emphasized the social relevance of the association. „Even a perfect developed welfare state cannot guarantee human attention and human closeness“, said Peter Müller, judge of the Federal Constitutional Court. Therefore, the excellent support service of WEISSER RING will continue to be essential for a human society in future. Peter Beuth (CDU), Minister of the Interior and Sport of Hesse, and Peter Feldmann (SPD), Lord Mayor of the City of Frankfurt am Main, also delivered keynote speeches in the Paulskirche.
Throughout the years of its existence WEISSER RING has been able to help several hundred thousands of victims who were in need through no fault of their own – quickly, unbureaucratically and in manifold ways. In more than 353.000 cases financial aid was provided. Support services like assistance cheques for a first legal, psychotraumatological consultation or a forensic examination were issued for more than EUR 141,1 Million (both figures at June 2016). Countless hours of voluntary work were given by a total of around 3.200 volunteers in nationwide 420 local branches – e. g. by offering advice and consolation, by accompanying victims to appointments with authorities or court hearings and by being engaged in crime prevention activities.
Throughout the years of its existence the association has constantly improved its support services. In March 2016 the Victims Helpline cracked the mark of 100.000 answered calls. The helpline of WEISSER RING is a toll-free and nationwide service and reachable under 116 006 since September 2009. From August 2009 to June 2016 the helpline’s volunteers talked to victims of crime, their relatives and persons close to them during around 687.000 minutes. In August 2016 WEISSER RING also set up an online counselling – providing an additional and anonymous support access.