What is domestic violence?

Domestic violence is violence in the family or partnership: Between married people or people who are or were together. It does not matter if they live together. Violence between parents and children or between brothers/sisters is also domestic violence.

Domestic violence can lead to mental and psychosomatic illnesses. Domestic violence particularly endangers the health and social development of children. Children who indirectly experience domestic violence are also affected.

Everyone can be affected by domestic violence: young and old people, people with and without a Swiss passport, rich and poor families. A lot of people in Switzerland suffer from violence in their families or (former) partnerships. It's important for victims to get help.

There are different forms of domestic violence – physical, psychological, sexual and economic violence. Often, different forms of violence occur at the same time.

For example: constant insults, forbidding contact, imprisoning, pushing, controlling, forcing someone to have sex, taking away money, forbidding someone to learn a language and neglecting children. Threats are also domestic violence.

Domestic violence is prohibited. It will be prosecuted. If the police become aware of domestic violence, they must investigate, even if the person who experienced the violence does not want this.

The victim support advice centre (Opferhilfe) advises and informs people who experience violence in their families or in their (former) partnerships. This help is free of charge. Victims can plan their next steps together with the specialist.

The employees are subject to confidentiality. This means that they are not allowed to inform anyone about the discussions. Not even the police.