There are many types of violence.
Violence is a crime in Switzerland.
No type of violence is okay.
Are you experiencing violence? Or have you seen someone being violent?
Here’s what you can do:
Are you experiencing violence? Or have you seen someone being violent?
Here’s what you can do:
What is a counselling centre?
- A counselling centre is an independent institution that you can go to.
- There are different types of counselling centres. Some counselling centres specialise in certain topics (violence in marriage, forced marriage, etc.). Other counselling centres cater for a certain group of people (women, LGBTI* people, etc.) Below is a list of counselling centres.
- You can talk about what you are experiencing and discuss what could help you. You will be supported in whatever steps come next.
- If required, the counselling centres can arrange an interpreter.
- The counselling sessions are free and confidential. We do not discuss what is said or happens in the sessions with anyone.
Victim Counselling Schwyz & Uri (Opferberatung Schwyz Uri)
Counselling for women, men, trans people, children and youths affected by violence
WebsiteVictim Support SG – AR – AI (Opferhilfe SG – AR – AI)
Counselling for women, men, trans people, children and youths affected by violence
WebsiteBENEFO – Specialist Victim Support Thurgaun (Fachstelle Opferhilfe Thurgau)
Counselling for women, men, trans people, children and youths affected by violence
WebsiteVictim Counselling Obwalden (Opferberatung Obwalden)
Counselling for women, men, trans people, children and youths affected by violence
WebsiteCounselling for Women Thurgau (Frauenberatung Thurgau)
Counselling for women and female teenagers affected by violence
WebsiteChild Protection Centre Ostschweizer Kinderspital (Kinderschutzzentrum Ostschweizer Kinderspital)
Counselling for children and teenagers affected by violence
WebsiteFIZ Advocacy and Support for Migrant Women and Victims of Trafficking (FIZ Fachstelle Frauenhandel und Frauenmigration)
Counselling for victims of human trafficking (women, trans people, men)
WebsiteSupport Service for Forced Marriage (Fachstelle Zwangsheirat)
Counselling for victims of forced marriage
WebsiteNetwork against female genital mutilation (Netzwerk gegen Mädchenbeschneidung)
Counselling for victims of female genital mutilation
WebsiteElbe - Fachstelle für Lebensfragen
Beratung zu psychosozialen Fragen zu weiblicher Genitalbeschneidung (FGM/C)
WebseiteQueeramnesty Switzerland (Queeramnesty Schweiz)
Counselling for LGBTI people suffering homophobic or transphobic violence
WebsiteHEKS Counselling Centre against Racism and Discrimination (HEKS Beratungsstelle gegen Rassismus und Diskriminierung)
Counselling for victims of racism and discrimination
WebsiteFABIA Competence Centre Migration (FABIA – Kompetenzzentrum Migration)
Counselling for victims of racism and discrimination
WebsiteMore information resources
Would you like more information on the subject of violence?
Do you need help finding the right counselling centre?
This is where you can get information and support, where possible in your native language:
Telephone against violence (Telefon gegen Gewalt)
Weekend hotline for women affected by violence
WebsiteAOZ Complaints Offices
Complaints against AOZ staff
Have you been subjected to violence from an AOZ staff member?
Have you been insulted or intimidated?
Do you feel sexually harassed by an AOZ staff member?
You can register complaints here: