Our approach
The basic principles of our social work and counseling services
The counseling and advisory services provided by Ban Ying e.V. aim to empower our clients and increase their ability to stand up for themselves.
The counseling and advisory services provided by BanYing e.V. are free of charge.
We provide migrant women with advice and counseling regardless of their residency status and, if requested, anonymously.
Right to understand and be understood
All counseling and advisory services undertaken by Ban Ying e.V. are provided in a language which our clients have a good command of, ideally their mother tongue. This basic principle is achieved through language mediation. If necessary, the language used will be simplified to facilitate understanding.
Complicated matters are explained clearly. We ask our clients questions in order to establish whether they have fully understood the facts of the matter upon which they seek advice. Both our social and legal advisory services adhere to this approach.
Voluntary counseling
In social services, the word “voluntary” means that no sanctions will be imposed for non-participation in the counseling. Furthermore, it means that clients can decide for themselves whether they wish to act upon the advice given or not. Clients may also seek advice on the same issue from alternative sources.
In this sense, all counseling and advice provided by Ban Ying e.V. is voluntary.
Confidentiality
The counseling provided by our social workers is carried out under terms of strict confidentiality. However, as Ban Ying’s social workers are not entitled to refuse to give evidence in a court of law, a female lawyer will sometimes join the counseling sessions. This extends the entitlement to refuse to give evidence to the social worker.
Target groups
Our counseling and advisory services are aimed at migrant women and transgender individuals. In exceptional circumstances, we can also offer advice and counseling to migrant men.
The women and transgender individuals we work for are mainly:
- Migrants from South-East Asia who have, in particular, experienced violence during the migration process, marital difficulties or who have questionable residency status
- People affected by human trafficking
- Domestic workers in diplomatic households