Rules for everyday life

Everyone has the right to be treated with respect and dignity:

• no matter what religion you have
• no matter what country you come from
• no matter what gender you are
• no matter how old you are.

No one may violate the dignity of a human being. 

All people are treated equally - regardless of origin, gender, age, lifestyle, religion and disability.

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

• 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 forbidden. 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 go to a counselling centre if you have been subjected to violence. 

Examples of domestic violence:

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

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

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

There is a law against discrimination in Switzerland. No one should be discriminated against because of: 

• of origin
• of skin color
• of age
• religious, ideological or political conviction
• of the way of life
  
• of the language
• social position
  
• a physical, mental or psychological disability

Every person is free to choose his or her religion and philosophical convictions. In Switzerland, no one may be forced to join or belong to a religious community, to perform a religious act or to follow religious instruction.

In Switzerland, everyone is allowed to form their own opinion and express it out loud.