Forced marriage and female circumcision

When a person is marrying under pressure from their family and against their will, it is considered a forced marriage. Should they have to stay married against their will, it is considered a forced marriage. All persons have the right to choose to stay in a marriage or to separate. Forced marriage is forbidden in Switzerland.

Should the police be notified of a forced marriage they need to act. In most cases the police automatically start criminal procedures. Affected women, men and youths have the possibility to annul the marriage in Switzerland.

Examples of coercion are threats, blackmail (“if…, then…”), psychological pressure and abuse, corporal abuse and any other form of violence.

The national Forced Marriage Specialist Centre "zwangsheirat.ch" offers counsel confidentially and free of charge:

• Forced Marriage Specialist Centre, Helpline: Tel. 0800 800 007

The victim counseling agency is available to victims of abuse, their relatives and other close caregivers of any gender and age. It is confidential, free of charge, and offers translations.

• Victim counseling service of the Canton Glarus: Tel. 055 646 67 36

Female circumcision means that the female genitalia are cut. There are different forms and acts. Many circumcised girls and women suffer from health and mental problems due to injuries and consequences of the circumcision

Female circumcision is forbidden in Switzerland. Parents are liable to prosecution, should they organize the circumcision of their child outside of Switzerland. Should the police be notified of female circumcision, they have to act. They automatically start criminal procedures.

The network against female circumcision of the Caritas provides information and connections to key persons. Caritas Switzerland offers counseling to affected families free of charge and confidentially:

• Network against female circumcision Switzerland: Tel. 042 419 23 55

The contact centre against female circumcision Ostschweiz and Lichtenstein also offers counseling and support free of charge:

• Contact centre against female circumcision Ostschweiz: Tel. 076 679 86 52

The victim counseling agency is available to victims of abuse, their relatives and other close caregivers of any gender and age. It is confidential, free of charge, and offers translations:

• Victim counseling agency of the canton Glarus: Tel. 055 646 67 36