Family crisis in Switzerland: what should you do in the first 24 hours?

What are the immediate first steps in a crisis situation?

In the first few minutes, only one question matters: is everyone physically safe?

If there is an immediate physical danger — violence, self-harm, threats — call the police number 117 or 112 right away. Do not wait or hesitate. The Swiss police (Kantonspolizei / Police cantonale) are required to intervene and must provide assistance regardless of the person concerned’s residence permit status.

If there is no immediate physical danger, but the situation is acute and unmanageable, proceed in the following order:

1. Move to a safe place — leave the home if necessary. Take your documents with you (passport, residence permit, AHV card / Krankenkassenkarte), a few days’ worth of clothing, and cash.

2. Notify the nearest trusted person — neighbor, colleague, acquaintance. In Switzerland, social isolation is one of the most common barriers to asking for help.

3. Call the appropriate helpline (see the next section).

4. Document what you can — photos of injuries, messages, names of witnesses. This may be important later for legal proceedings.

What are the most important Swiss helplines and emergency services?

In Switzerland, some helplines are free and available 24/7. It is worth saving the following numbers in your phone even when you do not need them.

The 143 spiritual first-aid line (Die Dargebotene Hand) is available in German, French, and Italian. There is no Hungarian-speaking operator, but staff who can also communicate in English can help with basic guidance.

The 0800 040 040 number connects you to the coordinated network of Swiss women’s shelters (Frauenhaus / maison pour femmes). The shelters also accept children, and accommodation is free of charge during the first days. The type of residence permit is not an obstacle to admission.

How can children be protected in a crisis situation?

In Switzerland, the protection of children takes priority over all other considerations — including the parents’ right of residence.

If a child’s physical or mental safety is at risk, the following authorities can intervene:

• KESB (Kindes- und Erwachsenenschutzbehörde / Autorité de protection de l'enfant et de l'adulte): the child and adult protection authority, operating at cantonal level. Anyone — a neighbour, teacher or doctor — can report concerns to them. The KESB can order temporary placement, supervisory measures or guardianship.

• Socialdienst / Service social: the local social services office, which can provide immediate help with housing, care and connecting with the KESB.

• Child helpline 147: children and young people can call directly, anonymously.

Important to know: if you yourself ask for help for your child, this does not automatically mean that you will lose parental custody. The Swiss system is primarily focused on keeping families together, not separating them — unless the child’s safety requires it.

For Hungarian parents, it can be especially difficult if the child does not speak German / French / Italian, or speaks only very little. The KESB and social services are required to provide an interpreter — make this request actively.

What legal protection can you use in cases of intimate partner violence?

In Switzerland, intimate partner violence (häusliche Gewalt / violence domestique) is a criminal offence that the authorities have — since 2004 — prosecuted ex officio. This means that if the police become aware of the case, whether proceedings are initiated does not depend on the victim’s decision, and the victim is not obliged to file a complaint.

The most important legal tools are:

• Wegweisung (removal from the home): the police can immediately remove the perpetrator from the shared home for up to 14 days. This can be extended by court order.

• Rayonverbot / Kontaktverbot (restraining and no-contact order): ordered by the court, it prohibits the perpetrator from approaching the victim.

• Zivilrechtlicher Schutz (civil-law protection): the Zivilgericht (civil court) can order urgent interim measures, even within 24 hours.

As a Hungarian citizen you are treated as an EU citizen under the Swiss legal system (on the basis of the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons, FZA), so you have the same rights in protection proceedings as a Swiss citizen. A residence permit cannot be lost simply because someone uses social assistance as a victim.

If you need legal advice, the cantonal Opferhilfestellen (victim support offices) provide free legal and psychological counselling. Their contact details vary by canton — the local Sozialdienst can direct you.

What immediate financial and housing assistance is available?

In a crisis, financial dependence is one of the most common reasons people do not dare to take action. In Switzerland, this issue can be addressed.

Immediate housing:

• Women’s shelters (Frauenhaus) accept people free of charge in the first days — the costs are settled later by the social system.

• The local Sozialdienst can arrange temporary accommodation in urgent cases if there is nowhere else to go.

Financial assistance:

• Sozialhilfe (social assistance) can be claimed if the person concerned does not have enough income to cover basic needs. Eligibility does not depend on the type of residence permit, but the amount and conditions vary by canton.

• The Opferhilfe (victim support) framework also allows victims of crime to apply for one-off financial assistance — this is granted under the Swiss Victim Assistance Act (OHG / LAVI).

• If you have a joint bank account with your partner and are concerned that you may lose access to it, you can notify the bank — in some cases the account can be blocked so that transactions require both parties’ consent.

Important for Hungarian citizens: if you work in Switzerland and hold a B or C permit, taking social assistance does not automatically lead to the revocation of your permit — but in the case of long-term dependence on social welfare, this issue may arise. If the situation is uncertain, it is advisable to seek legal advice.

Where can you get psychological support and emotional help?

In the acute phase of a crisis, psychological help is not a luxury — it is necessary to maintain the ability to make decisions.

Immediate options:

• 143 (Die Dargebotene Hand / La Main Tendue / Il Telefono Amico): anonymous, free, 24/7. Not only for suicidal crises — for any emotional crisis.

• 147 (Pro Juventute): for children and young people, also anonymous.

• Family doctor (Hausarzt / médecin de famille): the first consultation can be billed to Krankenkasse (mandatory health insurance, KVG); the family doctor can refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist.

Short- and medium-term options:

• Psychiatric emergency care: every canton has psychiatric emergency services (Psychiatrische Notfallstation). In the event of an acute mental crisis — risk of self-harm, psychotic state — this is the route to take.

• Psychological counselling: under certain conditions, KVG covers psychological treatment if it is provided with a medical referral.

• Opferhilfe: victim support offices also provide psychological counselling, free of charge.

Psychological help in Hungarian in Switzerland is available, though limited — primarily in Zürich and Bern there are professionals who are native Hungarian speakers or can communicate in Hungarian as well. In the svajc.com Knowledge Base, the article “Hungarian professionals in Switzerland” contains updated contact details.

How should the situation be handled in the long term?

Once the acute crisis has passed, the most common mistake is for the person affected to try to return to normality alone, even though structured support would be needed to address the underlying causes and consequences.

Aftercare and long-term recovery:

• Case manager (Fallmanager) at the social services office: the Sozialdienst can also coordinate over the longer term — housing, employment, childcare, legal matters.

• Mediation and couples therapy: if the goal is to save the relationship, the Swiss Ehe- und Familienberatungsstellen (marriage and family counselling offices) offer free or low-cost mediation.

• Divorce and child custody: if the relationship cannot continue, divorce proceedings and arrangements for child custody are handled through the courts under Swiss civil law (ZGB / CC). As a Hungarian citizen, issues relating to dual Hungarian-Swiss citizenship or property/assets in Hungary require separate legal attention.

• Prevention: relationship counselling programmes are available free of charge in most Swiss cantons — using them does not carry any stigma and is not entered into any official record.

Support from the Hungarian community: Hungarian communities in Switzerland (especially in Zürich, Bern, Basel and Genève) can also offer informal help — accommodation, interpreting, information. Through the community platform on svajc.com, you can get in touch with local Hungarians.

Sources

• Swiss federal information portal: ch.ch

• Die Dargebotene Hand (143 emotional first aid): 143.ch

• Pro Juventute child helpline (147): projuventute.ch

• Coordination body for Swiss women’s shelters (OFAS / BSV): bsv.admin.ch

• Victim support in Switzerland (OHG / LAVI): ofj.admin.ch — search term: “Opferhilfe"

• Tox Info Suisse (poisoning advice, 145): toxinfo.ch

• Swiss Civil Code (ZGB): fedlex.admin.ch

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