Existing user? Sign in
Share your needs with us, get contacted by law firms.
Free. Takes 2 min.
Tavannes is a municipality in the Canton of Bern in Switzerland. Criminal law in Switzerland is largely governed by the federal Swiss Penal Code for the substance of offences, while criminal procedure and police work are implemented at the cantonal level. That means sexual-offence charges in Tavannes are prosecuted under Swiss criminal law and processed through the cantonal authorities of the Canton of Bern. Sex crimes include a range of offences such as rape, sexual coercion, sexual assault, sexual acts with minors, sexual exploitation, production or distribution of child sexual images, and grooming. Both victims and accused persons have procedural rights - including the right to legal counsel, the right to be informed of charges, and the presumption of innocence.
There are different reasons to consult a lawyer depending on whether you are a person who says you were harmed or a person accused of a sexual offence. In either position, early legal advice can be decisive.
If you are a victim, a lawyer can help you understand your procedural rights, explain how to file a complaint with the police, request protective measures like restraining orders, preserve and obtain evidence, and pursue civil damages or compensation. A lawyer can also guide you through interactions with medical personnel and the public prosecutor to ensure your interests are represented.
If you are accused, a criminal defence lawyer protects your rights from the first contact with the authorities. A lawyer can advise you about whether to give a statement to police, represent you during questioning and at hearings, challenge evidence including forensic tests or witness statements, negotiate with the prosecutor, and handle appeals. Defence counsel is essential for safeguarding procedural rights and mounting an effective defence strategy.
Other situations where legal help is commonly needed include cases involving minors, cross-border or immigration consequences, employment-related sexual-offence allegations, and when there are concurrent civil and criminal claims.
Key legal considerations for sex-crime matters in Tavannes - and more broadly in Switzerland - include the following:
- Swiss Penal Code governs substantive sexual offences. It criminalizes non-consensual sexual acts, sexual coercion, rape, sexual acts with persons who cannot consent because of age or incapacity, sexual exploitation, and offences involving sexual images of minors.
- Age of consent: Swiss law sets a minimum age for lawful sexual activity. Sexual relations with persons below the statutory age are generally criminal. There are limited close-in-age exceptions, but sexual contact with younger minors can trigger serious criminal consequences.
- Consent and capacity: Consent must be voluntary and informed. Lack of consent includes situations of physical force, threats, coercion, or when a person is incapable of giving consent because of unconsciousness, intoxication, or certain cognitive impairments.
- Criminal procedure: Investigation and prosecution are conducted by cantonal police and the cantonal public prosecutor. For Tavannes that means authorities and courts of the Canton of Bern will handle investigations, pre-trial decisions, and trials in first instance. Victims may report offences to the police or lodge complaints with the public prosecutor.
- Evidence and forensic examinations: Police investigations may include interviews, forensic medical exams, collection of DNA and other physical evidence, witness statements, and digital evidence analysis. For victims, timely medical attention is important both for health and for preserving evidence.
- Penalties and measures: Convictions can lead to fines, suspended or unconditional prison sentences, and court-ordered protective measures such as restraining orders. For serious offences, additional measures such as therapeutic treatment or measures restricting liberty may be imposed. Foreign nationals may face administrative consequences including deportation in some cases.
- Civil remedies: Independent of criminal proceedings, victims can bring civil claims for damages, loss of earnings, pain and suffering, and medical costs.
You can report a sexual offence to the local police station or directly to the cantonal public prosecutor. If you need immediate help or are in danger, contact emergency services. If you prefer, you can first seek medical attention and a victim-support organisation can assist with reporting. Filing a report starts an official investigation by the police and prosecutor.
Your safety is the first priority. Seek medical care as soon as possible - both for injuries and for evidence collection. Avoid showering, changing clothes, or cleaning the scene if you intend to preserve physical evidence. Try to write down what happened and preserve any messages or digital evidence. Contact the police and consider victim-support services and legal advice.
Swiss law sets a statutory minimum age for lawful sexual activity. Sexual relations with persons below that age are generally criminal, though limited close-in-age exceptions exist. Sexual activity involving minors often leads to distinct criminal provisions and can result in severe penalties. If a case involves a young person, it is important to seek legal advice that takes the age and circumstances into account.
Criminal liability for sexual offences depends on consent and the other party's capacity to consent. If a person is incapable of consenting because they were unconscious, intoxicated, or otherwise unable to decide freely, sexual activity can constitute a crime. Whether an accused person knew or should have known about the other person’s incapacity will be crucial for determination of guilt. Legal advice is necessary to assess specific circumstances.
If you are accused, you have the right to remain silent, the right to a lawyer, the right to be informed of the charges, and the presumption of innocence. You are entitled to fair treatment and to challenge evidence brought by the prosecution. It is important to consult a criminal defence lawyer immediately and avoid giving detailed statements to police without counsel.
A conviction can lead to a criminal record and other long-term consequences, but being charged does not automatically mean you will be convicted. Outcomes depend on the evidence, the strength of the defence, plea negotiations, and court decisions. In some cases, measures such as diversion, acquittal, or non-prosecution may occur. Legal advice can help explain potential outcomes for your situation.
Yes. Victims can request protective measures from authorities, such as temporary restraining orders, no-contact orders, or emergency protection measures. The public prosecutor or court can impose measures quickly in urgent situations to protect safety. A lawyer or victim-support service can assist with applications for protection.
In Switzerland many sexual offences are prosecuted by the public prosecutor even if the victim does not push for prosecution. However, victims can lodge a criminal complaint which often triggers an investigation. Whether the case continues depends on the prosecutor’s assessment of evidence, public interest, and other legal criteria.
Allegations or convictions for sexual offences can have serious non-criminal consequences. Employment relationships can be affected, especially where the alleged conduct relates to a workplace or vulnerable persons. Foreign nationals may face immigration consequences, including deportation or refusal of entry or residence permits, depending on the case. Seek specialist legal advice about these risks early on.
Yes. Victims may file a civil claim for compensation for physical and psychological harm, medical costs, loss of earnings, and other damages even when criminal proceedings are ongoing or concluded. Civil claims follow different procedures and require different standards of proof. A lawyer can advise how civil litigation interacts with criminal cases.
Below are types of local and national resources that can help people affected by sexual offences in Tavannes:
- Cantonal police and public prosecutor offices of the Canton of Bern - for reporting offences and information about the criminal process.
- Victim-support organisations in the Canton of Bern - for emotional support, practical assistance, and help navigating reporting and compensation procedures.
- Medical providers and emergency departments - for urgent care and forensic evidence collection.
- Legal aid services and the cantonal legal-aid authority - for information about eligibility for free or reduced-cost legal representation through unentgeltliche Rechtspflege.
- Specialist lawyers in criminal and juvenile law - for representation and legal advice in sex-crime matters.
- Counselling centres for sexual violence and child protection services - for counselling, safety planning, and assistance specific to minors and families.
If you need legal assistance in Tavannes for a sex-crime matter, consider the following practical steps:
- Ensure safety. If you are in danger, call emergency services immediately.
- Seek medical care. Get urgent medical attention and, if relevant, forensic examination to preserve evidence.
- Contact the police or public prosecutor to report the incident when you are ready. You can also ask a trusted person, victim-support service, or lawyer to assist you in making the report.
- Find a lawyer experienced in criminal law and sexual-offence cases in the Canton of Bern. Ask about experience with similar cases, approach to evidence, and fees. If you cannot afford a lawyer, ask about legal aid - unentgeltliche Rechtspflege.
- Preserve evidence and document events. Keep messages, photographs, medical records, and notes about what happened and when.
- Use victim-support services for counselling, information about procedural rights, and assistance with protection measures and compensation applications.
Acting promptly helps protect legal rights and the availability of evidence. Whether you are a victim or an accused person, a specialised local lawyer will provide the best guidance tailored to the circumstances in Tavannes and the procedures used by the Canton of Bern.
