Óvóhely Józsefváros – Victim Support Group
Contact us if you have experienced abuse or if you encountered abuse in your surroundings.
Our services are available to people living in Józsefváros, regardless of their nationality or residence status.
If you speak English, by phone you can make an appointment in English for an in-person consultation, including outside our regular office hours. We can provide free English interpreter support during consultations.
If you do not speak Hungarian or English, you are welcome to bring your own interpreter to the appointment, provided they speak either Hungarian or English. Please contact us in advance by phone so we can prepare accordingly.
If you do not speak Hungarian or English and you do not have someone who can interpret for you, please send us an email in your own language. We will do our best to find a suitable interpreter for you. However, we cannot guarantee that we will always be able to arrange one.
Contact us if you have experienced abuse or if you encountered abuse in your surroundings.
⚠️ Domestic violence includes:
- ▪️ physical, emotional, verbal, or sexual abuse
- ▪️ threats, humiliation, or isolation
- ▪️ financial control
- ▪️ situations where fear, dependency, or constant control develops in a relationship
- ▪️ harassment, threats, stalking, or controlling behavior after a breakup
Our goal is to provide free, safe, and – if necessary – immediate support to anyone in danger or concerned about someone else. We help you recognize the signs of abuse and plan your next steps. We also support you in being able to safely help others.
How can you reach Óvóhely?
📞 By phone (weekdays 8:00–18:00): +36 20 289 9019
By phone you can make an appointment in English for an in-person consultation, including outside our regular office hours. Detailed support is provided during the in-person meeting, where we can arrange an English interpreter if needed.
✉️ Email: ovohely@jszszgyk.hu
📍 In person: 1081 Budapest, II. János Pál pápa tér 22.
Opening hours for personal visits:
- Monday: 14:00–18:00
- Thursday: 09:00–13:00
Appointments are also available at other times by prior arrangement via phone or email.
What if you cannot afford to make a phone call?
Call the Józsefváros free hotline: +36 80 277 256 and ask the operator to connect you to Óvóhely.
Hotline availability hours:
- Monday: 08:00–18:00
- Tuesday: 08:00–16:00
- Wednesday: 08:00–16:30
- Thursday: 08:00–16:00
- Friday: 08:00–12:30
Who can use Óvóhely services?
Anyone living in Józsefváros who experiences abuse in their family or intimate relationship, feels threatened, or witnesses abuse in their surroundings.
Our services are open to everyone, regardless of age or gender.
You can also contact us if the abuse affects your child, a family member, a neighbour, or someone you know.
Language support: You can consult with our staff in English with the help of an interpreter in person.
What kind of support do we offer?
Personal support and consultation: We explain your options and help you plan your next steps.
Safety planning: We help you create a safety plan if you are preparing to leave an abusive situation, including planning for relocation and starting a new life.
Legal support: Our lawyer provides advice on civil matters, including divorce, child custody and housing issues, as well as police reports and restraining orders. Our aim is to make sure you understand your legal options and, where possible, can represent yourself with confidence. In particularly justified cases, and following an individual assessment, we may also be able to provide free legal representation. We can assist with translating documents into English, help you understand Hungarian legal documents, and provide interpreting support during legal procedures whenever possible.
Psychological support: Our psychologist can provide direct, basic psychological counseling in English on the topic of abuse.
How much do the services cost?
All Óvóhely services are free of charge for residents of Józsefváros.
About the project
Óvóhely was established as part of the SHELTER international project which is funded by the European Union. You can read more about the programme at this website.