English

The Advisory Offices for Aid to Victims in St.Gallen, Appenzell AI and AR are available to persons affected by acts of violence, their members of family and reference persons as well as professionals.

ADVISORY OFFICE FOR AID TO VICTIMS
The offer is open to:
men and women who are victims of violence, in particular after physical injury, attempted murder, robbery, traffic accidents; and to men who are affected by violence in the home or have experienced violence of a sexual nature.
Offer:
personal advisory discussions by telephone or in the advisory office, support in dealing with the experience of violence and its sequels, advice and information on psychological, legal and social matters, accompaniment and support in criminal proceedings, referral to other professionals, help in dealing with insurance claims.

The offer is available without charge and may be called upon regardless of whether criminal charges have been brought and how long ago the act occurred. Staff of the office are bound by an obligation of secrecy.

ADVISORY OFFICE FOR FEMALE VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE
The offer is open to:
women who have experienced sexual violence, sexual harassment, rape or sexual exploitation in their childhood; women who experience physical, psychological or sexual violence in their relationship or in their family environment or are threatened by their ex-partner of either gender and women who are forced to engage in prostitution.
Offer:
personal advisory discussions by telephone or in the advisory office, support in dealing with the experience of violence and its sequels, advice and information on psychological, legal and social matters, accompaniment and support in criminal proceedings, referral to other professionals. The offer is available without charge and may be called upon regardless of whether criminal charges have been brought and how long ago the act occurred. Staff of the office are bound by an obligation of secrecy.

In Via – Aid for children and young victims
The offer is open to:
children and young persons who are affected by, or threatened with, mental, physical or sexual violence, together with their parents and members of family.
Offer:
personal advisory discussions by telephone or in the advisory office, support in dealing with the experience of violence and its sequels, advice and information on psychological, legal and social matters, accompaniment and support in criminal proceedings, referral to other professionals.

The offer is available without charge and may be called upon regardless of whether criminal charges have been brought and how long ago the act occurred. Staff of the office are bound by an obligation of secrecy.

IMMEDIATE AID for women and young persons who have been victims of rape
The offer is open to:
women and young persons who have been raped up to 3 days after the act of sexual violence occurred.
Offer:
availability by telephone round the clock, opportunity to describe the circumstances, seek medical examination and treatment, undergo a forensic medical examination, arranging further advice.

The offer is available without charge and may be called upon regardless of whether criminal charges have been brought. Staff are bound by an obligation of secrecy.

COMPENSATION/SATISFACTION

Persons who have suffered prejudice as a result of a criminal action and can credibly show that they receive no or insufficient benefits from third parties (perpetrator, insurance schemes etc.) may apply for compensation and/or satisfaction.

The application to that effect must be submitted to the appropriate cantonal authority within five years of the criminal offence, failing which the entitlement will be time-barred. This time limit applies to offences committed after 1 January 2007. Further special provisions apply for the benefit of certain victims (such as children). More detailed information on this matter will be provided by the Victim Aid Advisory Centres.

• St.Gallen

Sicherheits- und Justizdepartement des Kantons St.Gallen, Oberer Graben 32, 9001 St. Gallen
Download: Gesuch um Entschädigung und/oder Genugtuung nach Opferhilfegesetz, Kanton St.Gallen

• Appenzell Innerrhoden

Staatsanwaltschaft des Kantons Appenzell Innerrhoden, Unteres Ziel 20, 9050 Appenzell

• Appenzell Ausserrhoden

Departement Inneres und Kultur, Sekretariat, Regierungsgebäude, 9102 Herisau
Download: Gesuch um Entschädigung und/oder Genugtuung nach Opferhilfegesetz, Kanton Appenzell AR