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“The structural violence of the state is sometimes even worse than domestic violence”: Oliver Hunziker, head of the Vaterhaus. (Image: PD)
The Fathers' House ZwüscheHalt
Under the name “ZwüscheHalt”, the Association for Responsible Fathers and Mothers VeV runs a privately run house for fathers and their children. They find help and support there in difficult situations of separation and divorce. The first Fathers' House in Switzerland was opened on December 10, 2009, International Human Rights Day. It is located near Aarau.
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Mr. Hunziker, how many men found refuge with you last year?
We welcomed 21 men, 9 boys and 2 girls. You spent a total of 387 nights with us. Consultations in particular are in high demand. We have conducted over 600 consultations. So things are going very well - even if in our case you can't really be happy if the house is fully occupied. Ultimately, behind every visitor there is a tragic fate.
What cases have you been confronted with?
We had cases of physical assault, but above all it was psychological violence. This can also lead to unbearable situations for men and children. We do not assume that the perpetrators are fundamentally evil. Private circumstances such as illness or unemployment can often lead to violence being used.
Were there any particularly difficult cases?
All cases are blatant - especially when I see how the children suffer from the situation. The story of a man who suffered both psychological and physical violence from his wife was striking. He came to our father's house and after ten days he had to attend an appointment for marital protection proceedings - i.e. a legal separation. There, in a short procedure, both his apartment and his child were taken away within half an hour.
The court believed the woman more than the man?
Yes. She was given the son even though she was in a psychiatric hospital at the time. Unfortunately, it often happens that the woman's version is given more credence than the man's. The structural violence of the state is sometimes even worse than domestic violence.
You mentioned the situation of the children.
Do many fathers bring their children with them? Men are not as quick to take their children with them as women - even if they have custody. It takes an enormous amount for a man to dare to step into our facility. The situation is already so bad that the children also want to leave. You can also see that the children are suffering. They are confused and traumatized by the circumstances.
Are children given special care?
No. We give them shelter. But fathers have to look after their children themselves. This is essential. They shouldn't give up the children. We accompany both of them and support them in looking for solutions to their situation.
And was your support often successful?
That's not easy to say. Many of the men go back to their wives, but some of them end up back after a few weeks because the situation has to be dealt with at home. We are successful in motivating men to take their lives back into their own hands.
Are there already expansion plans for the Fathers’ House?
Yes, we want to expand as quickly as possible. But we have to find the financial means. We are currently 100 percent privately financed.
Do the cantons want to invest money?
So far there are no signs that the cantons will take part. We are currently trying to get performance orders. The collaboration and networking with the social institutions in the cantons of Aargau, Zurich and Bern is already very close. And we are convinced that there is a great need for our offering. Especially since the latest figures from the Federal Statistical Office show that the proportion of domestic violence against men is 25 percent. This gives a different picture of the situation and men are now more likely to contact us.
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