Police 117 (immediate danger)

Victim support helpline 142 (for advice or in a crisis)

Helpline for children and young people: 147

Women affected by domestic violence and their children who find themselves in a dangerous situation can seek refuge in a women’s shelter. Please contact us, the national victim support helpline on 142, or the police on 117.

We are available 24 hours a day for the police and the victim support helpline.

Further information can be found under ‘Women’s Shelter’.

Victims of domestic violence (regardless of gender) who find themselves in a dangerous situation can seek refuge in a shelter or emergency accommodation. Please contact us, the national victim support helpline on 142, or the police on 117.

We are available 24 hours a day for the police and the victim support helpline.

Counselling

We support and advise you. We inform you about your rights. Together with you, we look for new solutions and plan the necessary steps. If necessary, we can put you in touch with solicitors, doctors, psychologists, social services and other specialist agencies.

We are bound by professional confidentiality.

What should you bring with you?

• Identity documents: passport, ID card, residence permit
• Important documents: marriage certificate, children’s birth certificates, tenancy agreement, employment contract, bank cards, health insurance card
• Clothes, toiletries
• Medicines
• Mobile phone and charging cable
• Valuable personal items such as photos or jewellery
• Children’s favourite toys and soft toys, school supplies

If you are unable to organise everything, we will provide you with the essentials and help you arrange access to your most important documents at a later date.

In acute situations of domestic violence and stalking, it is possible to take legal action to protect those affected. These are protective measures that can be applied for in three different ways:

Expulsion and/or a restraining order issued by the police

In cases of domestic violence where the police intervene, the police may issue, for a limited period, an eviction order (the perpetrator is evicted from the shared home), a contact ban (the perpetrator is not allowed to contact you) or a restraining order (the perpetrator is not allowed to come near you).

Together with a solicitor, you can apply to have the eviction order, the contact ban or the restraining order extended.

Protective measures in criminal and civil proceedings

Together with a solicitor, you can apply to the court (civil proceedings) or the Crown Prosecution Service (criminal proceedings) for a contact ban or a restraining order. If a restraining order is granted, the perpetrator is not permitted to contact you, either in person, digitally or via third parties. Furthermore, the perpetrator is not permitted to approach you.

As part of matrimonial protection measures, it is possible to assign the affected person’s home and to evict the perpetrator until the court hearing.

• You stay in touch with relatives, neighbours, friends, etc., and tell people you trust what the abuser is doing to you.
• You know that domestic violence is not a private matter and that there are legal options available.
• You collect any evidence of the abuse (photos, text messages, etc.) and keep it in a safe place.
• You can have physical injuries documented (without filing a criminal complaint):
• In cases of physical violence: Forensic Medicine, Siders Hospital www.hopitalvs.ch/gewalt
• In cases of sexual violence: Forensic Medicine, Visp Hospital https://www.agression-sexuelle-urgences.ch/
• Leave the home if you fear the perpetrator might become violent – better to be safe than sorry.
• Know where to get help and have these contact numbers to hand (police, victim support, women’s shelter, legal advice, neighbour, friend, etc.).
• You have saved the police emergency number 117 on your mobile phone.
• You seek information from a victim support centre.
• You have explained to your children that they should stay out of the violence between you and the perpetrator.
• You have told your children that they are not to blame for the violence. The children know where they can go to safety if someone becomes violent.
• If you are afraid because there is a weapon in the house, call the police and explain why (e.g. violence, mental health issues). The police can take action.
• If you feel threatened by the abuser whilst out and about, speak directly to passers-by, ask for help and tell them to call the police.

Additional safety tips if you no longer live together

• Tell the abusive person that you no longer wish to have any contact and do not reply to any messages. You may be able to block the person digitally.
• Secure your home (door peephole, change locks, possibly get a post box, etc.).
• Make your neighbours aware of the new situation and ask them to call the police if they observe an immediate threat.
• Do not be alone with the abuser. 
• Inform your children’s school or childcare centre who is allowed to collect them and who is not.
• Inform your workplace so that the abuser cannot try to reach you via third parties.
• Change any regular appointments that the abuser is aware of.

“Is Luisa here?” is a low-threshold support service for women and girls in the party scene and in public spaces. If women feel uncomfortable, harassed or pressured, they can ask the staff at participating venues and establishments the code phrase “Is Luisa here?” to receive discreet assistance. You can recognise which venues and establishments are taking part in the campaign by the posters and stickers displayed on site.

Approach the staff with the question “Is Luisa here?”.

The staff will take you to a safe space. This could be a staff room or the kitchen.

The staff will ask how they can help you, e.g. by calling a taxi, phoning a friend or the police.

If you are being picked up, the staff will stay with you until you are safely in the taxi or with someone you know.

The staff will ensure that you do not come into contact with the person responsible.

If necessary, the staff will call the police or a healthcare facility.

Important: You decide which steps should be taken.