For Women – Since 1976

The Counseling Center for Women Affected by Violence Thurgau is run by a nonprofit association, supported both ideologically and financially by its members, supporters, and the canton of Thurgau. The organization is politically and religiously independent.

About the Association Sponsorship

The association’s board consists of the following members:

• K. Vetterli, President
• Cheyenne Wäny, Vice President
• S. Flury, Kassierin
• I. Kreis
• K. Odermatt
• Y. Käppeli

From Grassroots Activism to an Established Counseling Center

The roots of the Counseling Center for Women Affected by Violence Thurgau trace back to the women’s movement of the 1970s. In 1976, a group of engaged women in Frauenfeld came together to protest the lack of female representation in politics. This led to the formation of the Frauenfeld Women’s Group in 1977, which soon expanded its focus to social issues.

By 1978, the group founded Infra, an information and counseling center for women, which also served as an emergency shelter for women affected by violence – a pioneering project run entirely by volunteers. To establish a more stable foundation for this vital work, the Association for the Protection of Abused Women was founded in 1988. Although the emergency shelter had to be closed a year later, the counseling service was professionalized and continued with a dedicated specialist.

In 2005, the association adopted its current name: Counseling Center for Women Affected by Violence Thurgau. Until 2007, the center was run by a single professional counselor. However, with the increasing demand for support, the board decided to hire a second counselor, ensuring availability from Tuesday to Friday.

A significant milestone was reached in 2007 when the association signed a service agreement with the Department of Justice and Security. This not only secured financial stability but also strengthened collaboration with key partners, including victim support services and the Domestic Violence Unit of the Thurgau Police.

Today, the Counseling Center for Women Affected by Violence Thurgau is an essential resource for women in need throughout the canton – driven by the belief that every woman has the right to live free from violence.