The industrial development at the end of the 19th century and the strong growth in population led to a complete reorganisation of social conditions in Germany at the time and to a migration from the countryside to the cities. 
Girls travelling alone, inexperienced and unfamiliar with the area were a particularly vulnerable group. They often became victims of trafficking, labour exploitation and prostitution. 

In Munich, a group of committed Catholic women from the aristocracy and bourgeoisie became aware of this plight. They wanted to develop ways and forms of organisation to help and support the young women individually, but were also looking for ways to exert social and political influence. With these goals in mind, they founded the "Marian Girls' Protection Association" in August 1895.

By sending out countless brochures and making contact with various monasteries, associations and institutions that were also dedicated to the protection of young women, the women achieved a high level of awareness and acceptance in the Catholic world. It was not long before other places, such as Speyer and Würzburg, also founded associations for the protection of girls. At the same time, similar initiatives were launched in France and Switzerland. 

The newly founded association developed into the first supra-regional Catholic organisation in the field of women's charity - independently managed and organised by women - and the first international association of Catholic women. Even before a Catholic women's movement was formed, the Catholic Girls' Protection Association was one of the movements that prepared it. 

In addition to the development of the station mission work and the network for the protection of girls, the idea of running residences for the young women soon emerged. In the historical documents, there is a reference to the fact that as early as 1912, the board discussed the purchase of the house at Goethestrasse 9. Father Rupert Mayer is quoted as an adviser with the encouraging words: "The less money you have, the more certain it will turn out well." 

Initially, however, the war years 1914-1918 characterised the work of the association:

In the town hall, some board ladies of the Marian Girls' Protection developed a lively effectiveness by "setting up a place for clothing aid for refugees", which was taken up by 572 people, who were clothed from head to toe ... The Marian Girls' Protection provided 3 accommodation facilities (flats), in which 38 refugees were accommodated for 320 nights. ... The secretariat of the station mission was a focal point for the care of refugees; gradually the secretariat at the station became a mediation centre not only for travelling girls and refugees, but also for wounded soldiers and all those seeking help at the station.

Extract from the annual report 1914

The Marienherberge moves from Mathildenstraße 3 to Luisenstraße 23.
"The Marienherberge was soon known everywhere; the magistrate, police, welfare organisations and welfare association as well as various military hospitals sent their charges of all ages and status. Often it was children who were supposed to be travelling to their grandparents and relatives because their father had been called up for military service, but were held up in Munich because of passport issues. Or mothers were looking for work to earn a living during the war. War wives and mothers, sisters and brides who wanted to visit their dear relatives also stayed at the Marienherberge, refugees who had lost their belongings, young girls who were exposed to the dangers of the big city and older maids who gave their last savings to find work. If possible, they were given a position."
Extract from the 1916 annual report

In 1928, a long-cherished wish is realised - the association is able to buy the house at Goethestrasse 9. The Sisters of the Holy Family took over management of the home until 1944. The number of residents increases steadily. In 1930, 1,492 people are accommodated.

Organisations for the protection of girls are also formed in other countries. As early as 1897, an international Catholic organisation for the protection of girls was founded with the support of the Munich women. The organisation still exists today under the name ACISJF - IN VIA Association catholique internationale service pour la jeunesse féminine (International Catholic Association for Services to Young Women) and comprises 35 member communities from 33 countries. It is a member of the World Union of Women's Organisations (WUCWO) and UNESCO. The German local and diocesan associations are represented by the IN VIA national association.

Cooperation between the Bavarian girls' protection associations at state level began in the early years, but it was not until 1967 that a registered association was founded with the aim of giving Catholic girls' social work more involvement in church and political structures at state level. 

The association's self-image is repeatedly reviewed, which is also reflected in various name changes:
In 1933, the "Marianischer Mädchenschutzverein" became the "Katholischer Mädchenschutzverein" and in 1966 the name was changed to "Katholische Mädchensozialarbeit e. V.". In 1995, the words "IN VIA" (Latin for "on the way") were added and in 2010 the name was changed to "IN VIA Katholischer Verband für Mädchen- und Frauensozialarbeit". Since 2013, the Munich association has been called "IN VIA München e. V., Katholischer Verband für Mädchen- und Frauensozialarbeit".

Until 2010, the Munich diocesan association was run by an honorary board of directors supported by a managing director. This is changed as part of an amendment to the statutes and on the basis of an episcopal announcement on supervision in Catholic organisations. Today, the General Assembly elects an honorary Supervisory Board, which appoints the full-time Executive Director.
 
The association is currently active in the areas of railway station missions, youth housing and migration.