DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS PROHIBITED

Domestic violence is punishable by law.

 

This means:

The perpetrators are punished. 

The perpetrators are mostly the husbands or partners of the victims.

The victims are mostly women and their children.

 

Have you experienced or seen domestic violence?

Then report it to the police. 

The police will help you.

Want to know more about domestic violence?

Learn here:

What is domestic violence?

Domestic violence is violence between 2 or more people.

Domestic violence occurs at home: 

In the family and between life partners.

For example, domestic violence is experienced by:

• Married couples
• Civil partners
• Children
• Parents
• Grandparents

Domestic violence also exists among separated couples.

 

Domestic violence is not only physical.

Threats can also be domestic violence.

For example, when a husband tells his wife:

"I'm going to take the children away forever."

What are the types of domestic violence?

There are different types of domestic violence.

 

What rights do victims have?

These laws protect victims from domestic violence:

• Victim Assistance Act 
• Criminal Code 
• Civil Code

By law, victims have these rights:

• Right to protection 
• Right to free help from professionals
• Right to punishment of the offender 

What are the consequences of domestic violence?

Victims suffer greatly from domestic violence. 

Domestic violence has consequences for health:

• Injuries on the body
• Headache
• Abdominal pain
• Back pain

The experiences also weigh heavily on the victims' souls:

• They sleep badly.
• They are afraid.
• They feel ashamed.
• They feel worthless.
• They eat less or more than usual.
• They feel bad about themselves.
• They think about suicide.
• They keep remembering the horrible experience.

Sometimes victims don't realize the effects of domestic violence until later. 

 

Children also suffer from domestic violence.

• They are afraid. 
• They feel guilty. 
• They get stomachaches and headaches.
• Many children behave differently.
• They become aggressive or withdraw.
• Or they get in trouble at school.
• Many children don't talk about domestic violence.

Who helps?

Are you experiencing domestic violence?

Seek professional help quickly.

You can find help here: Police, victim counseling, women's shelter. 

How do you get to the women's shelter?

Call the women's shelter.

A staff member from the women's shelter listens to you.

She asks: 

• "Where are you now?"
• "Can you talk on the phone now, or is someone listening in?"
• "Do you have children?"

If you want, the staff member will plan your entry into the women's shelter.

Perhaps she will organize an interpreter.

 

Don't you want to contact the women's shelter yourself?

Someone else can call for you.

For example, a policewoman or a doctor.

These people are bound by confidentiality.

They will not tell anyone where you are. 

 

Do you not speak German well?

The women's shelter will get an interpreter for you.

 

You can discuss these questions at the women's shelter:

• How can you protect yourself and your children?
• Do you want to separate?
• Where can you live with your children?
• Should you file a criminal complaint?

 

Is the women's shelter open to all women?

The women's shelter is open to all women:

Swiss women and foreign women (also without a residence permit).

 

Do you not speak German? 

Just ask for an interpreter.

 

How long can you stay at the women's shelter?

Women and children live in the women's shelter only temporarily.

The first days are free of charge.

• You can come to the women's shelter without money and financial help.
• You do not need to file a criminal complaint.
• Do you live in the women's shelter for a longer period of time? 
  Then the staff of the women's shelter will help you. 
  For example, with finding an apartment
  or with the costs for the women's shelter.
• You may leave the women's shelter at any time.

 

Children are welcome

Your children are welcome at the women's shelter.

All women's shelters have space for them to play.

The children can usually go to school normally.

 

Here's what you and your children should bring to the shelter:

• Passport and residence permit
• Bank card
• Health insurance card
• Medication, vaccination card
• Official documents (marriage certificate, birth certificate)
• A few clothes
• Favorite toys of the children

You can also live in the women's shelter, if, for example, you do not bring a passport.

All women’s shelters by region