Problems in the family

Women and men have equal rights in Switzerland. Every woman can decide for herself about her life, for example:

• Clothing
• Occupation
• Training
• Leisure

Women and men are allowed to move freely in public spaces. 

Men and women are allowed to decide for themselves whether and whom they want to marry. No one may be married against his will. Women and men can live together even if they are not married. 

Physical contact only takes place between people who know each other. Both must agree. Sexual violence is prohibited. 

Any kind of violence is prohibited. In Switzerland, this also includes threats. Violence in the family is also not tolerated.

Report any incident immediately.

Violence against women and domestic violence

Many women who experience violence often remain silent for a very long time. Get help and seek counselling if violence has been inflicted on you. 

Examples of domestic violence:

• to insult, threaten, intimidate or humiliate
• hitting, kicking, choking or throwing objects at you
• to force sexual acts
• Lock up at home
• contact with family and friends
• control or prohibit
• to force marriage
• to take away the wages

If you are at risk, you and all those affected will receive help to protect yourself. If necessary, contact with the police and judiciary or other specialist agencies and authorities will be established for you.

Help:

Victim support |071 227 11 00 | info@ohsg.ch | www.ohsg.ch

Child Protection Centre, Counselling | 071 243 78 02 | info.ksz@kispisg.ch | www.kszsg.ch

Women's shelter | 071 250 03 45 | info@frauenhaus-stgallen.ch | www.frauenhaus-stgallen.ch  | 24 h

Cantonal Police | 117 |info.kapo@kapo.sg.ch

In the event of a separation or divorce, you should be well informed and seek advice. Depending on your nationality and residence permit, there are consequences under migration law if you no longer live with your partner.

Consequences of separation or divorce under migration law

Did you receive your residence permit through family reunification? Then the condition applies that you live together as a couple (exception EU/EFTA). 

The residence permit for you and your children can also be extended without cohabitation if:

• Your marriage or registered partnership has lasted at least 3 years
• the integration criteria have been successfully met
• there are  important personal reasons for a separation (e.g . domestic violence, the joint children live here or the return to the home country is not reasonable)

You may have to leave Switzerland if you:

• have been married for less than 3 years
• are dependent on social welfare
• do not have the required language level

EU/EFTA citizens and persons with a permanent residence permit in an EU/EFTA country

It is not necessary for you to live with your partner. However, if it is clear to both of you that you are separating or divorcing, then you must apply for a residence permit for yourself.

This is possible if you can prove that you have a job or enough assets to live in Switzerland.
 

Further information on the dissolution of marriage or partnership

Engagement, marriage, divorce: everyone has the same right in Switzerland. You can decide for yourself whether and whom you want to marry and whether you want to divorce.

Forced marriage also occurs in Switzerland. Report such a case.

www.zwangsheirat.ch

You can find help in these places:

Victim Support SG-AR-AI | 071 227 11 00 | info@ohsg.ch | www.ohsg.ch

Child Protection Centre, Counselling | 071 243 78 02 | info.ksz@kispisg.ch | www.kszsg.ch

Women's shelter | 071 250 03 45 | info@frauenhaus-stgallen.ch | www.frauenhaus-stgallen.ch  | 24 h

Cantonal Police | info.kapo@kapo.sg.ch

Forced Marriage Unit | www.zwangsheirat.ch

In Switzerland, around 22,000 women and girls are at risk of or affected by genital cutting.

Female genital cutting is prohibited by national and international law!

In Switzerland, all people are equal. Every person is allowed to live and love the way they want. 

Is there someone in the family who needs support or help with sexual orientation, gender identity or intersex?

The whole family is affected when a family member becomes mentally ill.

Do you have the feeling that a family member is changing in their psyche or behavior? To support the person in this phase, seek help from a professional.

In the event of crises and emergencies, you should act quickly: 

Mental health

Are you worried about someone in the family because the person is increasingly expressing extreme views on political or religious issues? Are you afraid that the family member could even become radicalized?

Together with a specialist, look for a meaningful way to deal with this topic: 

FAREX
Specialist and contact point 
Radicalisation and extremism
Canton of St.Gallen

Tel. 0848 0848 55 (available 24 hours)
Email: farex@sg.ch

Website FAREX