Best Sexual Harassment Lawyers in Stade

About Sexual Harassment Law in Stade, Germany

Sexual harassment is prohibited in Germany and enforced in Stade by local police, prosecutors, and courts. The city and district of Stade apply federal criminal law and employment law, alongside civil law remedies. Sexual harassment can be a criminal offense, a violation of workplace equality rules, and a civil wrong that allows you to seek injunctions and compensation.

Criminal law addresses unwanted sexual acts and touching. Employment law requires employers to prevent and stop harassment at work and provides employees with powerful remedies. Civil law protects your general personality rights and allows court orders to stop harassment and to claim damages.

Cases in Stade are typically investigated by the Polizeiinspektion Stade and prosecuted by the Staatsanwaltschaft Stade. Court proceedings run through the Amtsgericht Stade or the Landgericht Stade, depending on the severity and stage of the case. Support services and legal aid are available locally and statewide in Lower Saxony.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

If you experienced sexual harassment, a lawyer can help you assess whether the conduct is a criminal offense or a civil or workplace matter, preserve and present evidence, file a police report and any required formal request for prosecution, obtain a protection order, claim compensation, and navigate employer procedures under the General Equal Treatment Act. Legal counsel also coordinates medical forensic documentation and can arrange psychosocial court support.

If you are accused, a defense lawyer protects your rights, advises you before any police interview, reviews the evidence, helps you avoid self-incrimination, and addresses employment consequences. Early legal advice is critical because what you say at the outset can strongly affect the outcome.

If you are an employer or manager, counsel helps you handle complaints lawfully, conduct a fair internal investigation, implement immediate protective measures, meet duties under the General Equal Treatment Act, reduce liability risk, and draft or update policies and training.

Local Laws Overview

Criminal law - Section 184i of the German Criminal Code addresses sexual harassment as unwanted sexual touching that harasses another person. More serious sexual offenses, including those based on lack of consent, are covered by Section 177. Penalties range from fines to imprisonment. In many sexual harassment cases prosecution requires a timely victim request for prosecution in addition to reporting the crime. The request generally must be made within three months of the incident. Speak to a lawyer or police officer about the correct form and deadline in your situation.

Police and procedure in Stade - You can file a criminal complaint with the Polizeiinspektion Stade or directly with the Staatsanwaltschaft. You may bring a support person and request an interpreter. In emergencies call 110. Medical care can include confidential forensic evidence preservation without immediately filing a criminal complaint. Ask local hospitals about confidential evidence preservation so that proof is available later if you choose to report.

Protection orders - Civil protection orders under the Protection Against Violence Act can prohibit contact and proximity, remove a person from a shared home, and protect digital communications. Courts in Stade can issue urgent interim orders quickly if there is an immediate risk.

Employment law - The General Equal Treatment Act prohibits sexual harassment at work, defines it broadly to include unwanted sexual conduct, comments, images, or messages that violate dignity, and obligates employers to act. Employees can complain internally, request measures, refuse to work temporarily if the employer fails to protect them, and claim compensation. Strict deadlines apply. Claims usually must be asserted in writing to the employer within two months of the incident or knowledge of it, and court actions must follow within short time limits. Seek legal advice promptly.

Civil claims - Independently of any criminal case, you can seek injunctive relief and compensation for pain and suffering under civil law. The general civil limitation period is typically three years from the end of the year in which you learned of the claim and the person responsible. Other and shorter periods may apply in employment matters.

Victim rights and support - Victims of serious sexual offenses may join the criminal case as a private accessory prosecutor and can be entitled to a victim counsel lawyer paid by the state and to psychosocial trial support. Legal aid is available for low income individuals through Beratungshilfe and Prozesskostenhilfe. Compensation and support for victims of violent crime are available under the social compensation law administered in Lower Saxony.

Local institutions in Stade - Police Inspectorate Stade, Public Prosecutor's Office Stade, District Court Stade, and Regional Court Stade handle these matters.

Frequently Asked Questions

What counts as sexual harassment under German law

Criminal sexual harassment involves unwanted physical touching of a sexual nature that harasses the other person. Beyond the criminal definition, workplace sexual harassment under equality law also includes unwanted sexual comments, messages, images, jokes, or suggestive behavior that creates a hostile environment or violates dignity, even without physical contact.

Is verbal harassment a crime or only an employment issue

Verbal harassment alone is usually addressed through employment and civil law. However, depending on the content it can overlap with criminal offenses such as insult, threats, or distribution of pornographic content to minors. A lawyer can evaluate which legal routes apply in your case.

Do I have to report to the police to get help at work

No. Workplace remedies under the General Equal Treatment Act do not require a police report. You can use your employer's complaint procedure, involve the works council, and request protective measures. If the conduct could be criminal, you may also report it to police, but that is your choice.

What deadlines should I be aware of

For many sexual harassment crimes prosecution will require a victim's formal request within three months. Under the General Equal Treatment Act you must usually assert claims to the employer in writing within two months, then file in court within a short period if needed. Civil claims generally have a three year limitation period, counted from the end of the year of knowledge. Get legal advice quickly to protect all deadlines.

Can I get a restraining order in Stade

Yes. The court can issue a protection order under the Protection Against Violence Act that prohibits contact, approach, or certain communications. In urgent cases the court can grant an interim order. Violations can lead to fines or arrest. A lawyer can prepare the application and supporting evidence.

What evidence should I collect

Save messages, emails, social media posts, and photos. Keep a log with dates, times, places, witnesses, and what happened. Preserve clothing or objects if there was physical contact. Seek medical care and ask about confidential evidence preservation. Do not delete anything and do not alter devices.

Will my identity be kept confidential if I report

Police reports normally include your identity because you are a witness in potential court proceedings. If you are not ready to report, you can ask hospitals about confidential evidence preservation and consult a lawyer or counseling center to plan next steps. In court there are measures to protect privacy, such as excluding the public for sensitive testimony.

What happens after I file a police complaint in Stade

Police will take your statement, secure evidence, and contact witnesses. The prosecutor decides whether to bring charges. You can receive updates on the case upon request. In serious offenses you may be entitled to a state funded victim counsel and psychosocial support. You can also claim civil protection orders in parallel.

I am accused of sexual harassment. What should I do

Exercise your right to remain silent and contact a defense lawyer immediately. Do not contact the complainant or discuss the case on social media. Preserve your own evidence, such as messages and calendars. If your employer initiates an internal investigation, seek employment law advice before responding.

What are my rights at work if I reported harassment

You have the right to complain, to be protected from retaliation, and to appropriate measures such as separation from the harasser, schedule or location changes, or transfer of the other person. If the employer fails to act and protection is necessary, you may refuse to work temporarily while continuing to receive pay. You can seek compensation under the General Equal Treatment Act.

Additional Resources

Emergency numbers - Police 110 and medical rescue 112.

Hilfetelefon Gewalt gegen Frauen - nationwide 24-7 counseling in many languages by phone and chat. Number 08000 116 016.

Hilfetelefon Sexueller Missbrauch - counseling and information for children, adolescents, adults, and caregivers. Number 0800 22 55 530.

WEISSER RING - victim support and local assistance. Nationwide hotline 116 006.

Police Inspectorate Stade - for reporting crimes and obtaining victim information.

Public Prosecutor's Office Stade - responsible for prosecuting offenses in the district.

Amtsgericht Stade and Landgericht Stade - courts for protection orders and criminal proceedings.

Equal opportunities offices - Gleichstellungsbeauftragte of the City of Stade and the District of Stade can advise and refer to local services.

Local women's shelter and counseling services in the Landkreis Stade - offer safe accommodation, advice, and support. Ask the police, equal opportunities office, or your lawyer for current contacts.

Legal aid - Beratungshilfe and Prozesskostenhilfe are available for eligible individuals through the local court.

Next Steps

Prioritize safety. If you are in immediate danger in Stade, call 110 for police or 112 for medical emergencies.

Preserve evidence. Save messages and emails, write down what happened with dates and places, and consider medical care and confidential forensic evidence preservation. Avoid washing or cleaning items that may contain evidence until after medical examination.

Decide on reporting. You can file a criminal complaint at the police station or with the prosecutor. Ask about any three month deadline for a formal victim request where required. You can bring a trusted person and request an interpreter.

Seek workplace protection. Use your employer's complaint procedure, inform the works council if available, and assert claims under the General Equal Treatment Act in writing within two months of the incident or knowledge. Ask for concrete protective measures.

Consult a lawyer. Choose counsel experienced in sexual harassment, criminal law, and employment law. Bring your timeline, documents, and any evidence. Ask about victim counsel rights, psychosocial support, legal aid, and cost coverage options.

If you are accused, contact a defense lawyer immediately, do not make statements to police or your employer before legal advice, and do not contact the complainant.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. For advice tailored to your situation in Stade, speak with a qualified lawyer without delay.