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:
Contact a member of AOZ staff.
Or find a counselling centre here.
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 advisory service Zurich (Opferberatung Zürich)
Counselling for women, men, trans people, children and youths affected by violence
WebsiteCounselling for women on sexual violence (Frauenberatung sexuelle Gewalt)
WebsiteCounselling centre Women’s emergency phone service (Beratungsstelle Frauen-Nottelefon)
Counselling service for women
WebsiteCounselling centre for domestic violence Zürcher Oberland (Frauenhaus und Beratungsstelle Zürcher Oberland)
Counselling for women
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
WebsiteQueeramnesty Switzerland (Queeramnesty Schweiz)
Counselling for LGBTI people suffering homophobic or transphobic violence
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:
AOZ info line for refugees (phone call, SMS, WhatsApp) (AOZ Info-Line für Geflüchtete)
in Arabic, Dari/Farsi, German, English, French, Kurdish (Sorani and Kurmanji), Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tamil, Tigrinya, Turkish and Ukrainian.
WebsiteTelephone 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: