We counsel in a neutral manner. But we have a clear position. We believe: everyone has the right to self-determined sexuality and family planning. To contraception. To a legal termination of pregnancy. To adequate support as a family. You can find our polical positions here.
Our Self-Image as Counselling Centres
We counsel with an outcome-neutral approach from the perspective of those seeking advice. We are open to all people and therefore also place value on counselling teams that are as diverse as possible. We want to offer help towards self-help, not paternalism. The aim of our counselling is to empower people. We accompany decision-making processes. And we believe that people also have the right to make a decision that is considered ‘wrong’ by others.
Our Political Position on § 218 StGB (German Criminal Code)
We advocate for the right to self-determination and self-responsibility of the people who come to us for counselling. We thereby also stand for the protection of the dignity of pregnant people that the Federal Constitutional Court demands in connection with § 218 of the Criminal Code – in particular the right to life and physical integrity, and the right to personal autonomy.
According to the german law, we are required to counsel involuntarily pregnant people in an outcome-neutral manner in pregnancy option counselling, while at the same time ‘protecting unborn life’. We address this contradiction in practice with a holistic and respectful counselling approach. We respect the diverse circumstances that lead pregnant people to decide for or against continuing a pregnancy.
Nobody may be obligated to carry a pregnancy in their own body. We belive that a termination of pregnancy must be regulated outside of criminal law. Involuntarily pregnant people must not be criminalised or stigmatised.
We do not consider mandatory counselling before a termination to be effective. Psychosocial counselling must be voluntary in order to achieve anything. However, we advocate that involuntarily pregnant people can seek counselling if they wish. Good information about terminations of pregnancy must also be accessible to them.
Involuntarily pregnant people should be able to have a safe and legal termination as early as necessary and for as long as necessary. The current mandatory waiting period stands in the way of achieving this goal. We reject it, as well as the regulation that a pregnancy may only be terminated up to the 14th week of pregnancy without medical or criminological grounds. We trust involuntarily pregnant people in their decision at any point in the pregnancy.
Nobody should have to pay the costs of a self-determined termination of pregnancy. We demand that health insurance funds cover the costs. We also advocate that involuntarily pregnant people receive the best possible medical care. Medical professionals need to receive training in pregnancy termination procedures as part of their professional qualification. Sufficient medical services are needed throughout Germany. Involuntarily pregnant people must be able to freely choose the facility and the method near their place of residence.
As a social policy organization, we also advocate for better conditions for families so that no one has to decide against a pregnancy – which would otherwise be welcome – for reasons such as financial constraints or a lack of childcare.
Our Position on Prenatal Diagnostic Procedures
The range of prenatal diagnostic examinations is constantly growing. The focus is usually on the diagnosis of untreatable ‘deviations’ such as Trisomy 21. In many cases, results lead to termination of pregnancy. Invasive examination procedures also lead to the loss of sometimes long-awaited pregnancies.
As a social policy association, we consider every life to be worth living. And we advocate that parents of children with disabilities receive the support they need to be able to enjoy their family life. Of course, we always support the self-determination of pregnant people when it comes to the individual decision for or against continuing a particular pregnancy. However, we reject the routine prevention of ‘disabilities’ through societal decisions such as the funding and recommendation of screening examinations for all pregnant people.
Still have questions?
We are happy to advise you in person. Anonymous and free of charge. Respectful and empowering.