Do you question your own behaviour?

Violence can only be prevented if we all do something about it – and question our own attitudes and behaviour. Here, you can find out what that could involve and about ways out of violence.

Violence starts earlier than you think

In leisure activities, at work, in relationships – people violate boundaries in all kinds of ways.

For example:

  • Making a joke which someone finds offensive and degrading
  • Making a suggestive remark which makes someone feel uneasy
  • Sending someone unsolicited nude images
  • Harassing someone by unwanted touching
  • Shouting at and intimidating someone during an argument
  • Checking up on who a partner meets up with
  • Monitoring a partner’s location or finances

Even if they’re not fully intentional, these types of behaviour are not ok. They’re hurtful. This behaviour can escalate into increasingly serious violations, including physical aggression. That’s why it’s important to do something about it early on – and to seek support.

Why does violence occur?

Important

Violence can have many causes. But even so, everyone can decide against violence. Responsibility always lies with the person engaging in violence.

People who engage in violence have often experienced violence themselves. The risk of someone becoming violent is increased by stress, drug and alcohol use, or difficult situations such as unemployment, separation or financial problems.

Power imbalances and dependencies between two people are another risk factor for violence. They also play a role in society at large: people who are marginalised because of their appearance, their origins, their gender, their sexual orientation or for other reasons are particularly at risk of experiencing violence.

Questioning attitudes

Our thought, speech and actions are shaped by sometimes conscious, sometimes unconscious ideas about what’s “normal” and what’s not, who belongs and who doesn’t, who is privileged and who is disadvantaged.

The first step against violence involves recognising these norms – in others, but also in ourselves. Ask yourself critical questions about your convictions and about discrimination. Talk to other people about it. Find out more about the various forms of gender-based, sexual and domestic violence. And above all, listen when other people tell you how and why their boundaries have been violated.

Finding ways out of violence

If you realise that you’ve already violated a boundary and engaged in violence, you may feel lonely and ashamed. But there are ways out of this situation: with professional help, you can learn to deal with difficult feelings and thoughts, and to resolve conflicts. Treating people as equals, without violence.

A pictogram of a speech bubble.

Change starts with a conversation

Regional advice centres offer training programmes and sessions with specialists. Taking an unprejudiced approach, they point to possible ways out of violent behaviour and can also offer anonymous counselling. All conversations are confidential.

Counselling and support services

Counselling and services

Here you can refine your search for a suitable support service.

7 Counselling and services

  • Prevention of violence

    In all regions of Switzerland, specialised counselling centres and services are available for people who’ve engaged in domestic, sexual or gender-based violence, or who fear that they could become violent.

  • Heart2Heart

    Sometimes a sympathetic ear can help people to open up about difficult experiences.

  • Advice and support for children and adolescents

    Children and adolescents who’ve experienced or witnessed violence, or who are affected by domestic violence between parents, can call the 147 helpline.

  • People sexually attracted to children or adolescents (Beforemore)

    To help prevent sexual abuse of children, the «Beforemore» centre offers free, confidential and anonymous counselling for people concerned about thoughts or behaviors involving minors who do not wish to violate boundaries (any longer), for relatives and for professionals.

  • People sexually attracted to children or adolescents (DIS NO)

    To help prevent sexual abuse of children, the Frenchspeaking Swiss partner organisation «DIS NO» offers free, confidential and anonymous counselling for people concerned about thoughts or behaviors involving minors who do not wish to violate boundaries (any longer), for relatives and for professionals.

  • Elternnotruf: telephone counselling for parents

    In crises, stressful situations or cases of domestic violence, parents, other caregivers and professionals can contact Elternnotruf 24/7.

  • Fact sheets on domestic violence

    For the public, as well as for journalists and professionals, the Federal Office for Gender Equality (FOGE) provides information on domestic violence in a concise format.

Understanding the background –
preventing violence

Why equality prevents violence

When people seek to dominate others, the risk of violence is increased. Equality protects those affected – and can prevent violence arising in the first place.

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Background to the campaign

Domestic, sexual and gender-based violence has many causes and many faces. It is widespread in Switzerland, as it is elsewhere. Anyone can be affected, but women face a higher risk. To tackle this, the campaign focuses on two common sources of violence: power imbalances and discriminatory norms.

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How much control is too much?

When does control in a relationship become problematic, and what can be done if that happens.

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A man and a woman face each other in a warm evening atmosphere.

Defining our terms?

What forms of violence is this campaign addressing? And what exactly is meant by genderbased, sexual and domestic violence? Brief explanations are given here.

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A woman and a man are facing each other in an autumn atmosphere.