Margret Meyer: Hero of the night in the Vechta women's shelter!

Margret Meyer: Hero of the night in the Vechta women's shelter!

In recent years, public awareness of the issue of domestic violence has increased in Germany. A particularly outstanding example of commitment in this area is 70-year-old Margret Meyer from Bakum. She has been part of the on-call team at the Vechta women's shelter for three and a half years. Every day she and 14 other women man the emergency telephone, which offers essential support, especially in the evenings and nights between 6 p.m. and 9 a.m. Loud OM Online is their motivation to offer affected women a listening ear and support in difficult life situations.

The Vechta women's shelter offers a total of five places for women and their children who often flee stressful and sometimes even dangerous relationships. The infrastructure is designed to make the stay as pleasant and safe as possible: every woman and her children have their own, lockable room in which they can retreat. Common areas such as a fully equipped kitchen, dining room and living room create a family atmosphere. A fenced yard with play areas invites you to linger and play. More about this can be found at SKF Vechta.

Support offers for women

The numbers are alarming: over 175,000 women in Germany were victims of domestic violence in 2023. This shows how important it is that places like the women's shelter exist and that women like Margret Meyer get involved. As the Advice center for women against violence emphasizes, there are different offers of help in every federal state. These include both face-to-face and telephone counseling for women who have experienced various forms of violence—from domestic violence to psychological violence.

The support ranges from one-off advice to long-term support, which is important help for many women, especially in crisis situations such as separations or psychological stress. It is crucial that the consultations are offered anonymously and free of charge in order to enable the women affected to contact them freely. Women often find it difficult to make the first step; Many people only realize late that they are in a violent relationship, explains Maria Neemann, the head of the Vechta women's shelter.

Commitment and awards

The commitment of Margret Meyer and her colleagues does not go unnoticed. In 2025, she and other committed women will be awarded the “OM Future Maker” award, which stands for special achievements in the social development of the Oldenburger Münsterland. Her commitment is not only important for the women she supports, but also contributes to raising awareness in society.

The work in the women's shelter and the variety of counseling services are essential to improve the situation for women affected by violence. At a time when more and more women are daring to raise their voices, the support of advice centers and committed individuals like Margret Meyer is a ray of hope that gives hope.