ZUFF e.V.
ZUFF e.V. is a non-profit organization that supports women in crisis and violence situations. With 31 anonymous shelters, it provides protection, counseling, and self-help. The goal is a violence-free, self-determined life for women and their children.
About ZUFF e.V.
editZUFF e.V. is a non-profit organization founded in 1983 that is dedicated to the protection and support of women in crisis and violence situations. With an offer of 31 shelters, ZUFF e.V. provides women, mothers, and their children from all countries and cultures a safe retreat. Since 2018, the project has also been open to trans*women. The addresses of the shelters remain anonymous to ensure the safety of the residents.
Key Products and Services
editZUFF e.V. not only offers safe accommodation but also comprehensive support and counseling in various areas. These include personal and legal protection from domestic violence, legal and financial matters, social benefits, health and education, as well as language training and job opportunities. The residents receive assistance in finding a new apartment or returning to their old one. The organization promotes self-help among women and arranges further counseling if needed.
Mission and Values
editThe main mission of ZUFF e.V. is to support women in crisis situations and help them lead a life free from violence and self-determined. The organization advocates for tolerance towards different cultural backgrounds and promotes a violence-free coexistence in the shelters. ZUFF e.V. operates independently and is committed to alliances against violence.
Sustainability Goals and Initiatives
editZUFF e.V. places great importance on supporting children who have experienced domestic violence. Since 2014, there has been a separate department for children, where a psychologist works full-time. Through trauma-pedagogical and play-therapeutic approaches, the organization helps children process their experiences of domestic violence. Supporting the mother-child bond is a central concern, as a strong mother can best meet her child's needs.
Further Information
editThe shelters of ZUFF e.V. are located in various districts of Berlin. Each resident signs a sublease agreement, with a minimum rental period of two weeks. The women are responsible for their daily lives, which includes self-sufficiency, parental responsibility, and regular rent payments. Men are not allowed in the shelters, regardless of their relationship to the residents.
ZUFF e.V. is funded by the Senate Department for Labor, Social Affairs, Equality, Integration, Diversity, and Anti-Discrimination and offers counseling in several languages, including German, Turkish, Arabic, English, and French. The organization is an independent women's project and actively engages against violence.
ZUFF e.V. not only provides women in need with a safe place but also the opportunity to develop new perspectives and stabilize their lives in a protected environment. The organization is an important point of contact for women who want to make a fresh start.