Anti-Discrimination Office Cologne (ADB)

The Anti-Discrimination Office Cologne (ADB) offers qualified counselling to those affected and witnesses of (racist) discrimination. As ADB Cologne, we take into account the interconnectedness of racism with other forms of discrimination, such as discrimination based on gender, disability or chronic illness, age, sexual identity or social status.

We

• • counsel on options for intervening in the event of (racist) disciminatory incidents and attacks.
  • support those seeking advice and accompany them in the jointly agreed procedure through the process of case clarification.
  • systematically document all incidents reported by those affected and witnesses.

Counselling is free of charge and, if requested, anonymous.

We are a multi-perspective team with experience of racism.

We counsel in German. Counselling is also possible in English, French and Spanish by prior arrangement. We endeavor to provide interpreters for other languages.

Appointments & Contact

Please note that an appointment is required for consultations. If you would like a consultation, please send us an e-mail to beratung@oegg.de with informationen regarding your case or call us on 0221 964 76 300. We are available by telephone every Monday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

If you do not require counselling, but only wish to report discrimination, please use the following page: Diskriminierungsvorfall melden.

Waiting Times & Deadlines

As we may have longer waiting times, we would like to point out that it may be important for you to keep an eye on certain deadlines.

Important deadlines are:

The Allgemeine Gleichbehandlungsgesetz (AGG), a General Equal Treatment Act, protects people in the event of discrimination if the discrimination has taken place in working life or in the area of goods and services (renting an apartment, when shopping, opening a bank account, going to the gym, etc.).

Those affected have the right to compensation. To do so, they must assert claims for damages and compensation out of court and in writing against the party responsible for the discrimination (employer, landlord, etc.) within two months.

The time limit begins from the time of knowledge of discrimination.

It is important to observe this deadline, meaning not miss it, because otherwise the claims for damages and compensation expire.

There is a special feature in the area of employment: In the event of dismissal, those affected must file an action for protection against dismissal with the competent labor court within three weeks of receiving the written notice of dismissal. This is necessary to ensure that the employment relationship is not terminated by the dismissal or that the change in working conditions does not take effect.

Our Counselling Approach

In line with the empowerment approach, our primary goal is to strengthen people who have experienced discrimination. Professional counselors are available in a protected environment to talk to about what they have experienced. The counseling approach is always geared towards the person seeking advice. They are supported in standing up for their rights in a self-responsible and independent manner. The perspective of those affected as well as their needs and goals are the focus of the counseling. Therefore, options for action and intervention are only developed together with them and in close consultation.

Options for Interventions

Possible interventions are:

• • Contacting the facility, institution, authority or person named in the complaint
  • Requesting statements from the facility, institution, authority or person named in the complaint
  • Referral to or cooperation with other specialist counselling centers
  • Support with legal options for action under the General Equal Treatment Act (AGG)

Contact

AntiDiskiminierungsBüro Köln/Öffentlichkeit gegen Gewalt e.V.

Berliner Straße 97-99
51063 Köln

Tel.: 0221 964 76 300
Fax: 0221 964 96 709
E-Mail:  info@oegg.de

Telephone availability: Every Monday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Public Transport

Tram: Number 4 to Schlebusch/Bocklemünd
Stop: Von-Sparr-Straße

Bus: Line 151 & 152
Stop: Bürgerpark Mülheim