No new shelters for women affected by violence in Thuringia

So far this year, no new shelters have been built in Thuringia for women and children fleeing violence. At the beginning of 2025, responsibility for women's shelters was transferred from the municipalities to the state. At the time, the plans included around 100 additional beds and, in the future, a facility for men and queer people affected by domestic violence.

The Ministry of Social Affairs said on request that a process was still underway to recognize the providers. As soon as the process is completed, the organizations in the districts can apply for so-called sponsor recognition.

16 facilities in the country

According to the ministry, there were exactly 171 beds in 2024, and 30 more beds have been added since then. In total, there are currently 16 women's shelters and shelters in the Free State. Some districts had no protective facilities at all.

However, according to the Women's Shelter Coordination Association, this is exactly where capacity is needed. “Places are particularly needed where there is currently no facility of their own and those affected and their children are then referred to other districts - with all the consequences for their everyday life in terms of job, school, daycare and social environment,” said a spokeswoman.

So far no rooms for queer people or men

As soon as the provider recognition process has been completed, the providers in the districts can apply for recognition, the Ministry of Social Affairs said. That should be the case this year. Then, through state funding, new places could be created in districts where there are currently no facilities.

According to the information, no rooms for men or queer people have been created yet. However, queer people who sought help from shelters would not be sent away immediately. It is decided individually whether admission to a separate shelter apartment or to other shelters is possible.

Length of stay varies

According to the Women's Shelter Coordination Association, 253 women were housed in a shelter in the Free State last year. 81 of them came with one child, 45 with two children, 26 with three children and 14 with four or more children. There were 230 women seeking protection each year.

The average length of time the women and children stayed varied greatly. As the Ministry of Social Affairs announced with reference to the Women's Shelter Coordination Association, around 100 women stayed in one of the facilities for up to a month in 2025. 40 stayed between one and three months, and the same number stayed up to six months. There is no maximum length of time for how long the women could stay.