Procedure descriptions
Psychosocial support during legal proceedings – applying for the appointment of a support worker
Have you been the victim of a crime and are you due to give evidence as a witness?
If so, you can seek help from a psychosocial support worker.
These are professionals who have received specialised training in working with victims of crime. They act as points of contact for any questions you may have about the criminal proceedings and, above all, can accompany you to interviews with the police, the public prosecutor’s office or in court.
In addition, they can also arrange further support for you, such as therapy and psychological counselling.
Psychosocial support during legal proceedings aims to reduce the individual stress experienced by victims and to help them give evidence effectively as witnesses in criminal proceedings.
Responsible authority
Before the Public Prosecutor’s Office brings charges:
the Magistrates’ Court at the seat of the Public Prosecutor’s Office responsible for the preliminary investigation.
After the public prosecutor’s office has brought charges:
the court hearing the criminal case
You may also contact the relevant public prosecutor’s office.
Details
Prerequisite
You have been the victim of a criminal offence and have suffered injury as a result.
As a victim of a criminal offence, you are entitled to psychosocial support during legal proceedings. You will usually have to cover the costs of this yourself.
Only if the competent court appoints a psychosocial support worker for you will you not incur any costs.
Children and young people who have been victims of serious violent or sexual offences are entitled to such support.
In certain circumstances, adults who have been victims of serious violent or sexual offences may also be assigned a psychosocial support worker, as may children, parents, siblings, spouses or partners whose relative has been killed as a result of an unlawful act.
For an adult to be assigned a support worker, the victim must be in particular need of protection. This is usually the case, for example, with
- people with a disability,
- people with a mental health condition,
- victims of sexual offences,
- victims of violent crimes (with serious physical, psychological or financial consequences, or where the offence took place over a prolonged period, such as in cases of domestic violence or stalking),
- victims of prejudice-motivated violence and other hate crimes, and
- victims of human trafficking.
Procedure
You must apply to the relevant court for the appointment of a psychosocial support worker.
The court will select the person to be appointed.
However, you may also suggest a specific person in your application.
When submitting your application, you can seek assistance from the Co-ordination Office for Psychosocial Legal Support, PräventSozial gemeinnützige GmbH, Neckarstraße 121, 70190 Stuttgart, Tel. 0711 58533950, email: kontakt@zeugeninfo.de.
You can also obtain assistance from the police, the public prosecutor’s office (or its branch office) and the court.
Deadlines
None
The sooner you submit your application, the sooner you will receive support. It is advisable to submit your application as soon as you first contact the police.
Required documents
completed application form
Costs
None, if the competent court appoints a psychosocial support worker for you
In all other cases, you will have to bear the costs yourself.
Processing time
none
Miscellaneous
none
Legal basis
Strafprozessordnung (StPO):
- § 406g Psychosoziale Prozessbegleitung
Gesetz über die Psychosoziale Prozessbegleitung im Strafverfahren (PsychPbG)
Release note
machine generated, based on the German release by: Justizministerium Baden-Württemberg, 02.09.2026