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What is a victim within the meaning of the VSA (LAVI)?
The LAVI Centre is competent to assist persons who fall within the status of victim within the meaning of the Federal Act on Support for the Victims of Crime (VSA, LAVI in French).
The term “victim” refers to a legal status, and not to a psychological condition. This status implies recognition by the law and confers specific rights.
Three conditions must be met:
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The person must have suffered a serious harm to their physical, psychological or sexual integrity.
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This harm must have been caused by a criminal offence.
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The harm must be the direct consequence of the offence.
This “status” exists regardless of whether the perpetrator of the offence has been identified or not, and whether he or she acted intentionally or negligently.
In addition, the offence must have been committed in Switzerland. If it was committed abroad, the victim must have been resident in Switzerland at the time of the offence and at the time when the application was submitted.
The assessment of this status is based on legal standards and falls within the competence of the LAVI Centre.
Definition of a “VSA (LAVI) victim”
The non-exhaustive list of criminal offences below may provide an indication of the persons covered by the VSA (LAVI):
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Simple and grievous bodily harm, including through negligence
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Robbery
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Death threats
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Coercion
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Stalking
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Unlawful detention
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Abduction
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Hostage-taking
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Homicide
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Road traffic accidents caused by a liable third party
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Rape, sexual coercion
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Sexual acts with children or dependent persons
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Exhibitionism
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Incitement to prostitution
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Human trafficking
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Forced marriage
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Repeated acts of violence in a context of domestic violence
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Coercive measures for the purpose of assistance
Offences covered by the VSA (LAVI)
Persons who are victims of coercive measures for the purpose of assistance (MCFA)
The Geneva LAVI Centre is the contact point for persons concerned by MCFA, in order to enable them to access their files held by the State Archives and to support them in their application for a solidarity contribution.
The Federal Act (LMCFA) adopted on 30 September 2016 aims to allow all “placed children” to submit an application for a solidarity contribution.
Are you concerned?
You must complete a form with evidence of your history, found in the State Archives, as well as by providing your testimony on what was difficult for you during those years of placement and the repercussions this may have had later in your adult life.
There is no time limit for submitting applications for compensation.
Compensation for “placed children”
Rights of the VSA (LAVI) victim
The status of victim within the meaning of the VSA (LAVI) gives entitlement to the following services from the LAVI Centre:
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To benefit from free consultations at the LAVI Centre. In this context, to receive advice and a listening ear, to benefit from psycho-social and legal support, and to obtain financial benefits as immediate assistance and longer-term assistance.
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To be exempt from procedural costs (for recipients of state legal aid, there is no obligation to reimburse)
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To receive compensation and/or satisfaction from the VSA (LAVI) compensation authority, which is an authority distinct from and independent of the LAVI Centre.
The right to victim support also extends to the relatives of the victim, his or her spouse, children, father and mother, as well as other persons bound to them by similar ties.
Each canton has one or more LAVI Centres.
The victim may attend the Centre of their choice. To find the addresses of the LAVI Centres in the different cantons, click on this link.
If you wish to consult the Geneva Centre, we invite you to contact us by telephone during our opening hours.
Services provided by the LAVI Centre
Urgent steps
Have you experienced violence and has it affected your physical, psychological and/or sexual integrity? Your priority is to ensure your safety and to take care of yourself physically and psychologically.
Initial urgent steps
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Call the police (117) and/or emergency services (144).
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Get to a place of safety while waiting for emergency services.
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Do not wash, seek first medical care.
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Go to the emergency department. In the event of sexual assault, go to the gynaecological and obstetric emergency unit located at the Maternity Hospital of the HUG.
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Obtain a medical report: go to the medico-legal consultation for adult victims of violence (CMLV) at the Cantonal Hospital of Geneva. In the event of sexual assault, the report is made by the gynaecological and obstetric emergency unit for women located at the Maternity Hospital of the HUG and at the adult emergency departments for men.
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Preserve evidence. For example, place the clothes worn during the assault in a paper bag.
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Take care of yourself, speak to those around you, do not remain alone.
Initial steps to take
Domestic violence
You have the right to leave the marital home for your safety!
In Switzerland, a spouse has the right to refuse cohabitation if their personality, their material security or the welfare of the family is seriously threatened. The police may impose removal measures against the perpetrator of the violence, in order to prohibit them from entering certain places and/or approaching one or more persons.
And afterwards…
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If you have not yet done so, obtain a medical report and/or a sexual assault report (even several days after the events).
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Document incidents of violence, for example by uploading evidence of the incidents to the secure Safe Withyou platform
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Strengthen security measures if you consider it useful (be accompanied by a relative when travelling, change locks, etc.).
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Take shelter (with a friend, a neighbour, in a shelter, etc.).
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Do not remain alone, speak out!
We will handle your request in a strictly confidential manner.
In the event of domestic violence
Traumatic impact of violence
Have you experienced a traumatic situation? It may trigger unexpected reactions, immediately or later.
We invite you to read the leaflet of the CARElink Foundation, which details the phenomena that may be experienced by persons affected by a traumatic event and their relatives, and to consult our information brochures..
Trauma after violence