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“The structural violence of the state is sometimes even worse than domestic violence,” says Oliver Hunziker, head of the Fathers’ House. (Image: PD)
The Fathers' House Between Stop
Under the name "ZwüscheHalt," the association "Responsibly Raising Fathers and Mothers" (VeV) operates a privately run house for fathers and their children. There, they find help and support 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 took in 21 men, 9 boys, and 2 girls. They spent a total of 387 nights with us. Counseling is especially in demand. We conducted over 600 counseling sessions. So things are going very well – even though, in our case, we can't really be happy when the house is full. After all, behind every visitor is a tragic story.
What kinds of cases did you encounter?
We had cases of physical assault, but above all, we dealt with psychological violence. This, too, can lead to unbearable situations for men and children. We don't assume that the perpetrators are inherently evil. Often, personal circumstances such as illness or unemployment can lead to the use of violence.
Were there any particularly difficult cases?
All the cases are extreme – especially when I see how the children suffer in the situation. One striking case involved a man who suffered both psychological and physical abuse at the hands of his wife. He came to our fathers' shelter, and after ten days, he had to attend a court hearing for a legal separation. There, in a summary proceeding lasting half an hour, both his apartment and his child were taken away from him.
Did the court believe the woman more than the man?
Yes. She was awarded custody of the son, even though she was in a psychiatric hospital at the time. Unfortunately, it happens all too often that the woman's version of events is given more credence than the man's. The structural violence of the state is sometimes even worse than domestic violence.
You mentioned the children's situation. Do many fathers bring their children with them?
Men don't take their children as readily as women – even if they have custody. It takes an enormous amount of effort before a man dares to take that step and come to our facility. By then, the situation is already so dire that the children also want to leave. You can see that the children are suffering. They are confused and traumatized by the circumstances.
Are the children given special care?
No. We provide them with shelter. However, the fathers themselves must look after the children. This is essential. They should not leave the children with anyone else. We support both of them and help them find solutions to their situation.
And was your support often successful?
That's not easy to say. Many of the men return to their wives, and some of them are back again after a few weeks because the situation at home is too complicated. We are successful in motivating the men to take control of their lives again.
Are there already expansion plans for the Fathers' House?
Yes, we want to expand as quickly as possible. However, we need to find the financial resources. Currently, we are 100 percent privately funded.
Are the cantons willing to invest money?
So far, there are no indications that the cantons will participate. We are currently working towards securing service contracts. Our collaboration and networking with 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 services. Especially since the latest figures from the Federal Statistical Office show that 25 percent of domestic violence cases are perpetrated by men. This paints a different picture of the situation, and now men are more likely to contact us.
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