Wildwasser

What Wildwasser does

Wildwasser Berlin (legally 'Wildwasser, Arbeitsgemeinschaft gegen sexuellen Missbrauch an Mädchen e.V.') is a registered non-profit feminist association founded in 1983 in Berlin, Germany, providing a comprehensive portfolio of services addressing sexualized violence against girls, young women, trans, inter, and non-binary persons. The organization operates nine core service lines: Mädchen*Beratung (specialized counseling for those up to age 27), Mädchen*haus/Krisenwohnung (12-place crisis shelter), DonyA transcultural living group (9 places), Betreutes Wohnen (14 supported-living places across Neukölln and Wedding), Selbsthilfe & Beratung (self-help and counseling for adult survivors of childhood sexualized violence), Frauen*NachtCafé (FLINTA nighttime crisis drop-in, Wed/Fri/Sat 18:00–00:00), Frauen*Beratung (new adult domestic/sexualized violence counseling launched May 2026), Fortbildung/Schutzkonzepte (professional training and institutional protection concept development), Mobiler Kinderschutz (mobile child protection training for refugee accommodation staff), and Zeug*innen Begleitung (court witness accompaniment for minors). The methodology is built on the betroffenenkontrollierter Ansatz (survivor-controlled approach) combined with intersectional feminist and trauma-informed social work practice.

The organization is headquartered in the heritage-protected Wildwasserhaus at Wriezener Straße 10–11 in Berlin-Wedding, with additional program sites in Friedrichshain, Neukölln (Rollbergstraße), Kreuzberg, and Charlottenburg. Service delivery channels include in-person counseling at physical sites, online counseling via dgfpi.de, telephone and anonymous walk-in access at the Frauen*NachtCafé, and institutional referral coordination with Berlin youth welfare offices (Jugendämter) for residential placements under SGB VIII.

All services are provided free of charge to beneficiaries. Revenue is generated through public grants from four Berlin Senate administrations (Education/Youth/Family; Labor/Social Affairs/Equality; Science/Health/Care; Justice/Consumer Protection), daily-rate and specialist-hour payments from Berlin youth welfare offices, foundation grants (World Childhood Foundation, Deutsche Klassenlotterie Berlin, Werner-Coenen-Stiftung, Losito Kressmann-Zschach Foundation, Edith-Lücke-Stiftung), individual and corporate donations (including via betterplace.org), and in-kind contributions from corporate sponsors. The organization has approximately 103 staff (9 full-time, 94 part-time as of July 2025), is governed by a three-person honorary board (Katrin Schwedes, Anna von Gall, Irina Stolz), and is operationally led by two co-Managing Directors (Corinna Weiler and Gülây Rosa Akın).

Name

Wildwasser

Legal name

Wildwasser, Arbeitsgemeinschaft gegen sexuellen Missbrauch an Mädchen e.V.

Website

https://wildwasser-berlin.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Wildwasser Berlin is a non-profit feminist association founded in 1983 that provides free counseling, crisis intervention, residential care, self-help, and professional training services for girls, young women, and adults affected by sexualized violence across Berlin, Germany.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Services — Sexualized Violence Prevention and Counseling

NAICS

Human Rights Organizations (813311), Community Housing Services (62422), Temporary Shelters (624221), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Management Services (8741)

akta.pro primary industry

Protection, Child Protection & Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Response (BPAGAAAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Human Rights & Anti-Discrimination Organizations (BPAGAFAB), Youth Justice, At-Risk Youth & Violence Prevention Nonprofits (BPAGADAM), Protection Services (GBV, Child Protection, Safeguarding) (BPADAHAF)

Keywords

• Sexualized violence support
• Trauma-informed counseling
• Crisis residential care
• Child protection training
• Feminist social services

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Public Sector Grants (Senate Administrations): Wildwasser receives recurring funding from multiple Berlin Senate ministries including the Senate Department for Education, Youth and Family; the Senate Department for Labor, Social Affairs, Equality, Integration, Diversity and Anti-Discrimination; the Senate Department for Science, Health and Care; and the Senate Department for Justice and Consumer Protection. These form the primary revenue base.
2. Youth Welfare Office Funding (SGB VIII): Youth welfare offices in Berlin fund residential care placements (Krisenwohnung, DonyA, Betreutes Wohnen) through daily rates (Tagessätze) and specialist service hours (Fachleistungsstunden) under SGB VIII.
3. Foundation and Institutional Grants: Funding from foundations including the World Childhood Foundation, Deutsche Klassenlotterie Berlin, Werner-Coenen-Stiftung, Losito Kressmann-Zschach Foundation, and Edith-Lücke-Stiftung.
4. Individual and Corporate Donations: Wildwasser solicits one-time, recurring, birthday, and jubilee donations from individuals; corporate gifts in lieu of company presents; and individual sponsorships. The organization uses betterplace.org for online donations. Sachspenden (in-kind donations) are accepted selectively by specific programs.
5. Specialized Counseling Center (New): A newly established specialized counseling center for adults affected by sexualized and domestic violence (funded by Senatsverwaltung für Arbeit, Soziales, Gleichstellung, Integration, Vielfalt und Antidiskriminierung).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Wildwasser is a non-profit feminist organization providing free, trauma-informed counseling, crisis intervention, and residential youth welfare services for girls, young women, and adults affected by sexualized and domestic violence in Berlin. It also delivers professional training, institutional protection concept development, and witness accompaniment for criminal proceedings, all grounded in a survivor-controlled, intersectional feminist approach.

Product overview

Wildwasser is a non-profit feminist organization (eV) established in 1983, providing a comprehensive portfolio of services for individuals affected by sexualized violence. The organization operates as a unified platform of interconnected services including Mädchen*Beratung (counseling for girls and young women up to 27), Frauen*NachtCafé (night crisis hotline for FLINTA), Selbsthilfe & Beratung (self-help and counseling for adults), and various residential services (Mädchen*Notdienst/Krisenwohnung crisis shelter with 12 places, Betreutes Wohnen supported living with 14 places, and DonyA transcultural living group with 9 places). Additional offerings include Fortbildung (professional training), Schutzkonzepte (institutional protection concept development), Mobiler Kinderschutz (mobile child protection training), Zeug*innen Begleitung (court witness accompaniment), and Frauen*Beratung (adult violence counseling). The services are integrated under a feminist, intersectional, and trauma-informed approach with a shared commitment to protection and empowerment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Mädchen*Beratung Specialized counseling service for girls, young women, trans, inter, and non-binary persons up to 27 years who have experienced or are experiencing sexualized violence. Offers personal, telephone, online, and chat-based counseling with support for parents and professionals.
• Mädchen*Notdienst / Krisenwohnung
• Frauen*NachtCafé
• Selbsthilfe & Beratung
• Betreutes Wohnen
• DonyA – Transkulturelle Wohngruppe
• Fortbildung (Professional Training)
• Schutzkonzepte (Institutional Protection Concepts)
• Mobiler Kinderschutz (MSK)
• Zeug*innen Begleitung (Witness Accompaniment)
• Frauen*Beratung

Quantifiable outcome

• 40 years of continuous operation since 1983, serving thousands of affected girls, women, and families
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Senatsverwaltung für Bildung, Jugend und Familie (Berlin Senate Dept. for Education, Youth & Family)coreOthersPrimary public funder of Wildwasser's counseling, prevention, and school protection concept programs. Commissioned Wildwasser since August 2020 to develop school protection concepts model project. Also funder of the new Mädchen*Beratung specialized counseling center. Provides annual operational grants.
• Senatsverwaltung für Arbeit, Soziales, Gleichstellung, Integration, Vielfalt und Antidiskriminierung (Berlin Senate Dept. for Labor, Social Affairs, Equality & Anti-Discrimination)coreOthersPublic funder of Wildwasser's specialized counseling services for adults and the Frauen*NachtCafé. Provides ongoing operational funding.
• Senatsverwaltung für Wissenschaft, Gesundheit und Pflege (Berlin Senate Dept. for Science, Health & Care)minorOthersPublic funder providing operational grants to support Wildwasser's programs.
• Senatsverwaltung für Justiz und Verbraucherschutz (Berlin Senate Dept. for Justice & Consumer Protection)minorOthersPublic funder of the witness accompaniment program (Zeug*innenbegleitung) since 2014 under the Justice Agreement (Justizvertrag).
• Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband, Landesverband Berlin (Paritätischer Berlin)coreOthersWildwasser is a member of the Paritätischer Berlin federation, which provides organizational support, advocacy representation, and co-financing of social programs. Supported the acquisition of Wildwasserhaus.
• BAG FORSA – Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft Feministischer Organisationen gegen Sexuelle Gewalt an Mädchen und Frauen e.V.coreOthersNationwide umbrella organization of feminist organizations against sexualized violence. Wildwasser is a member organization, participating in advocacy, knowledge exchange, and joint policy work at the federal level.
• Bundeskoordinierung der Spezialisierten Fachberatung gegen sexualisierte Gewalt in Kindheit und Jugend (BKSF)coreOthersFederal coordination body for specialized counseling against sexualized violence in childhood and youth. Wildwasser is a member, contributing to national coordination and advocacy.
• Berliner Fachrunde gegen sexualisierte Gewalt in Kindheit und JugendcoreOthersRegional Berlin specialist working group against sexualized violence. Wildwasser participates in coordination, best practice sharing, and joint initiatives among Berlin-based organizations.
• berliner frauen netzwerk (bfn)minorOthersPolitical alliance of Berlin women's projects for advocacy, cooperation, and resource pooling. Wildwasser participates as a member.
• HILFE-FÜR-JUNGS e.V. (via berliner jungs)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWildwasser cooperates with HILFE-FÜR-JUNGS e.V. (specifically the 'berliner jungs' project) in developing institutional protection concepts for schools, youth welfare facilities, and sports clubs. Joint training and consulting format offered.
• Save the Children DeutschlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium partner in the ASAP! project ('ASAP! As Soon As Possible – Schule als sicherer Ort für alle') from May 2023 to April 2025. Wildwasser contributed expertise on sexualized violence while Save the Children led the overall project coordination and materials development.
• Stiftung SPIcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium partner in the ASAP! project. Stiftung SPI contributed to project implementation and resource development alongside Wildwasser and Save the Children.
• Landesamt für Flüchtlingsangelegenheiten BerlincoreOthersCommissions Wildwasser's Mobile Schulungsteam Kinderschutz (MSK) to provide child protection training for staff at Berlin's refugee accommodation facilities. Coordinates and distributes training invitations and registration links.
• Sozialpädagogisches Fortbildungsinstitut Berlin-Brandenburg (SFBB)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWildwasser's Mädchen*beratung staff deliver professional training courses through SFBB's catalog. SFBB handles registration and program administration for these courses on sexualized violence.
• Strohhalm e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer with Wildwasser of the November 2025 specialist conference 'Schule als sicherer Ort für Alle' on school protection concepts.
• Berliner TafelminorOthersWeekly food deliveries support the Frauen*NachtCafé's kitchen, enabling the preparation of meals for crisis-affected visitors.
• Deutsche Gesellschaft für internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGIZ supports the Aguas Bravas Nicaragua project, a sister organization of Wildwasser Berlin, in international development cooperation efforts.
• Christliche Initiative Romero (CIR)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIR has provided ongoing financial support to Aguas Bravas Nicaragua (Wildwasser's sister organization in Nicaragua) and facilitated BMZ funding for the project.
• Katholische Frauenbewegung Österreichs (KFB)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKFB is a long-term funding and strategic supporter of Aguas Bravas Nicaragua, Wildwasser's sister project in Nicaragua.
• Initiative Eine Welt Köngen e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting organization for Aguas Bravas Nicaragua, contributing to international solidarity and funding.
• Bio CompanyminorOthersOrganic grocery chain Bio Company supports the Frauen*NachtCafé as a local sponsor.
• Tim's (backwaren.de)minorOthersTim's bakery supports the Krisenwohnung (crisis apartment) with food donations.
• AERTiCKET AG (AERRUNNER)minorOthersAERTiCKET AG supports Wildwasser through its internal running group AERRUNNER, raising funds and awareness.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Berliner Notdienst Kinderschutz: Berlin-wide child protection crisis service (Wildwasser's Mädchen*notdienst Anlaufstelle is a referral point in cooperation). Provides overlapping crisis intervention for children/youth but covers all genders and a wider scope.
• Deutscher Kinderschutzbund Landesverband Berlin e.V. Larger Berlin-wide child protection organization offering broader family/child welfare services alongside counseling. Overlaps with Wildwasser on child protection training and safeguarding concepts but operates a wider mandate beyond sexualized violence.
• Diakonie Berlin (DWB): Large Protestant welfare federation operating women's shelters, counseling, and youth services across Berlin. Competes with Wildwasser for Senate funding and residential youth welfare placements; offers similar services at much larger scale but without the survivor-led specialization.
• Caritasverband für das Erzbistum Berlin e.V. Large Catholic welfare federation operating counseling, women's shelters, and youth welfare services across Berlin. Competes for the same Senate grant pools and offers comparable services (e.g., women's shelters) but as part of a broader portfolio.

Direct peers

• Strohhalm e.V. Berlin: Berlin non-profit offering specialized counseling and child protection services, including cooperation with schools on protection concepts. Co-organizer with Wildwasser of the November 2025 'Schule als sicherer Ort' conference; directly comparable on Schutzkonzepte work.
• Zartbitter e.V. Köln: Cologne-based non-profit focused on prevention of sexualized violence against children and youth, offering counseling, professional training, and Schutzkonzepte development. Directly comparable to Wildwasser in mission (child sexual abuse prevention) and service mix (counseling + training).
• Wildwasser Aachen e.V. Independent Wildwasser organization in Aachen operating under the same feminist, survivor-led model against sexualized violence against girls and women. Comparable service portfolio (counseling, prevention) and same founding philosophy, but in a different German city.
• HILFE-FÜR-JUNGS e.V. (berliner jungs): Berlin non-profit providing counseling for boys and young men affected by sexualized violence, with whom Wildwasser jointly develops institutional protection concepts. Directly comparable in Schutzkonzepte development and complementary gender-specific scope.
• Wildwasser Marburg e.V. Independent Wildwasser organization in Marburg with comparable feminist, survivor-led service model against sexualized violence. Same brand heritage, similar service portfolio (counseling, prevention), different city.

Regional players

• Mädchenhaus Bielefeld e.V. Residential girls' youth welfare facility in North Rhine-Westphalia with comparable transcultural residential group concept to Wildwasser's DonyA. Comparable on gender-specific residential youth care but operates in a different federal state.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/wildwasser_maedchenberatung
• Facebookfacebook.com/wildwasserberlin
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wildwasser-e-v-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Wildwasser