Finding help and support
Finding help and support
There are numerous support and counselling services that can help you. The addresses listed on this page are for centres with national or regional coverage.
Counselling and services
Here you can refine your search for a suitable support service.
- People affected by violence
- People who witness violence
- People wishing not to engage in (further) violence
Victim Support Switzerland
Recognised victim support counselling centres can be found in all cantons. They provide advice and support for anyone who has experienced violence in Switzerland – free of charge, confidentially and (if desired) anonymously.This is regardless of the person’s age, gender, sexual orientation or religion. Relatives and other persons close to those affected by violence can also contact a victim support service. Specialist staff can help people come to terms with what’s happened and plan the next steps. People who aren’t sure whether victim support is the right service can also get in touch. If necessary, the counselling centre can point the way to other services.
Online counselling and chat services
For people who’ve experienced violence – but also for relatives and other close contacts – confidential, anonymous chat or online counselling services are offered by victim support centres in German-speaking Switzerland and by the «Violence que faire» platform in French-speaking Switzerland.Women’s and men’s refuges
In a women’s or men’s refuge or other safe accommodation, women, men, children and adolescents wishing to escape from – or facing an immediate threat of – violence will find shelter, advice and support.Women’s and men’s refuges admit parents affected by violence along with their children.
Immediate assistance for victims of sexual violence
Anyone who experiences sexual violence should go to an A&E department as soon as possible.Some hospitals have staff (forensic nurses) specially trained to provide appropriate care for victims of sexual assault or rape and to collect evidence.
Sexual harassment in the workplace
For people who’ve experienced or witnessed sexual harassment at work, the website «Belästigt» and the French-speaking Swiss organisation «Non c’est non» offer information, advice and confidential, anonymous online counselling in various languages.Support services for French-speaking Switzerland and Ticino
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.These services provide support in finding ways out of violence and leading a non-violent life.
Heart2Heart
Sometimes a sympathetic ear can help people to open up about difficult experiences.For people in a crisis or stressful situation, the trained volunteers at Heart2Heart are available every evening to provide confidential, anonymous counselling over the phone (costs per call: landline: 20 centimes; mobile: 20–70 centimes).
Online safe for evidence of domestic violence and stalking
Experts recommend that incidents of domestic violence or stalking should be documented as early as possible.But storing evidence on your own phone or computer can be risky, especially if your partner monitors your devices. The online tool «Safe withyou» – developed by «Tech against Violence» – provides a secure storage space for evidence of this kind. Everything saved here is encrypted and only accessible to the victim.
Violence in old age
Violence in old age includes violence within elderly couples, as well as abuse and (intentional or unintentional) neglect of an elderly person within a relationship where there’s an expectation of trust.The National Competence Centre for Old Age Without Violence provides advice for victims, relatives and people who’ve witnessed violence against elderly people. Counselling is free, confidential and (if desired) anonymous.
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.Pro Juventute’s professional counselling team can also be contacted by WhatsApp and email. Consultations are free and confidential and not listed on phone bills. A peer chat service is also available for children and adolescents.
Online sexual violence against minors
People who come across sexual violence against children or adolescents online (for example, photos or videos with pedocriminal content) can make a report to the «Clickandstop» centre run by Child Protection Switzerland.This centre offers children and adolescents, parents and guardians, teachers and others professional, free and anonymous information and advice via telephone, chat or email.
Violence against children
Child Protection Switzerland has various help- and hotlines for parents, professionals and anyone else who suspects violence against children, cybersex offences or child welfare risks.Trained staff provide information via phone, email or chat, offer initial professional/emotional support, and refer clients to the centres or authorities responsible.
Insieme
The internal contact and reporting office supports the insieme regional associations and insieme service users in cases of sexual exploitation, abuse or other boundary violations.It offers assistance and a space to talk in cases of uncertainty, unease or suspected boundary violations, or if violence has been experienced in connection with insieme services.
LGBTIQ-Helpline
The LGBTIQ-Helpline records reports of discrimination and anti-LGBTIQ violence, with trained volunteers offering peer-to-peer counselling for those affected.The advisory services are free, confidential and anonymous and are open to anyone with questions about queer life. The helpline can be contacted by email and at certain times also by phone or chat.
Centre of Competence against Forced Marriage
The Swiss Centre of Competence against Forced Marriage offers free advice and coaching for people affected, and also for professionals, on the topics of forced marriage, restrictions on partner choice, obligation to marry, forced continuation of a marriage and forced engagement.Consultations are strictly confidential and can take place over the phone, online or face-to-face at a suitable location.
Female genital mutilation/cutting
The Network against Female Genital Cutting Switzerland comprises a national and various regional contact points.They offer advice and support for people affected or at risk, as well as relatives and professionals, in relation to health, legal and other questions concerning female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C).
Human trafficking and exploitation
Sexual exploitation, forced prostitution, forced labour, exploitative begging, forced organ removal.Victims and anyone who suspects that another person is being forced to do something against their will by threats of violence, deception, fraud or abuse can make an anonymous report to the National Hotline against Human Trafficking and Exploitation. If possible, reports of incidents are forwarded to the appropriate authorities and victims are put in touch with appropriate support services.
FIZ Centre for Women Trafficking and Migration
FIZ Protection program for victims of trafficking supports victims of human trafficking in German-speaking Switzerland.Swiss Sport Integrity
People who experience or witness psychological, physical or sexual violations, discrimination or other abuses in sports clubs or associations can (anonymously) contact the national reporting service «Swiss Sport Integrity».This service offers an initial consultation and, if necessary, the matter will be referred to an appropriate advice centre for more detailed input. People with questions or uncertainties about ethics in sport can also contact the SSI Hotline (Monday to Friday, during office hours).
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.Advice is available over the phone (limited hours) and by chat or email, with referrals to specialised counselling and treatment services.
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.Advice is available over the phone (limited hours) and by chat or email, with referrals to specialised counselling and treatment services.
Elternnotruf: telephone counselling for parents
In crises, stressful situations or cases of domestic violence, parents, other caregivers and professionals can contact Elternnotruf 24/7.This professional counselling service is free, confidential and, if desired, anonymous. As well as the 24/7 hotline, counselling is also possible by email or chat.
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.The 17 fact sheets give an overview of definitions, forms and the extent of domestic violence and on the legal situation in Switzerland.
The Blue Cross
Physical, psychological and sexual domestic violence often happens under the influence of alcohol. The Blue Cross supports victims and their loved ones in Switzerland, free of charge and confidentially.