Domestic abuse is violence within the family or a couple. It leads to both physical as well as psychological wounds. Domestic abuse occurs in different forms. Domestic abuse is prohibited in Switzerland. Those who perpetrate domestic abuse are liable to penal procedures, no matter the degree of violence. It does not matter whether the abuse is perpetrated against a spouse or against children. Counselling and help for victims of abuse is confidential and free of charge. Anyone who feels under serious threat from a family member or in their relationship should call the police (emergency number 117).
Domestic abuse is violence in a family or couple relationship: between married persons or persons who are or were a couple, regardless of whether they are cohabiting. Violence between parents and children or between siblings is domestic abuse.
Domestic abuse can lead to psychological and physical problems. Domestic abuse also jeopardises the health and social development of children. Children who indirectly experience domestic abuse are also affected.
Everyone can be affected by domestic abuse: young and old, people with and without a Swiss passport, rich and poor families. Many people in Switzerland suffer from abuse within the family or in a couple. It is important that those affected seek help.
There are different forms of domestic abuse: physical, psychological, sexual, economic and social. Different forms of violence often occur at the same time.
For example: constant verbal abuse, forbidding socialising, locking someone up, controlling, pushing and hitting, forcing someone to have sex, taking their money, forbidding them from learning a language, neglecting the children. Threats and stalking can also constitute domestic abuse.
Domestic abuse is prohibited. If the police learn of domestic abuse, they must act, even if the person experiencing the abuse does not want them to. The police will ensure the safety of everyone involved and separately question the person experiencing violence and the person perpetrating the violence. They can evict a person who uses or threatens to use abuse from the flat or house for a certain period of time.
In most cases - depending on what has happened - the police will automatically initiate criminal proceedings.
The Victim Counselling Centre of the canton Glarus provides advice and information to people experiencing abuse in their family or (former) partnership. This help is free of charge. Next steps can be planned together with the counsellors.
The counsellors are bound to confidentiality. They are not allowed to inform anyone about the counselling sessions. Not even the police.
