Frequently asked questions (FAQs)




The reporting system provides church members, employees, and others with a protected and confidential channel to report any form of misconduct within the church.
Through the reporting system, you are guaranteed anonymity and confidentiality, so you can submit reports without fear of consequences. It provides an alternative method to ensure that your report is handled objectively.
Yes, reports submitted via the reporting system are treated confidentially and can be submitted anonymously if desired. However, providing your identity may be helpful if further clarification is required during the review of the report. However, the decision to reveal your identity always remains to be yours.
You can report a wide range of misconduct, including breaches of professional ethics as well as abuse, fraud, harassment, discrimination, security risks and other types of misconduct.
Yes, you can use the system to make reports about people inside or outside the church, regardless of their position or role.
The reporting system is a browser-based web application. You can access it through popular browsers such as Firefox, Chrome, Safari, etc. and from various devices, including cell phones, tablets, and computers.
It is helpful to include as many details as possible: People involved, location, time and nature of the incident as well as supporting evidence or witnesses, if available.
Your report will be reviewed by the responsible team. If necessary, additional information can be requested via the internal chat of the reporting system. We therefore recommend that you log in regularly after your report submission to respond to any messages or questions.
Lawyer Andrea Gisler is in charge of the reporting system “Kirche schaut hin” and processes the incoming reports. Andrea Gisler is a specialist lawyer for family law and a mediator and represents victims in criminal proceedings. From 2002 to 2011, she was the personnel ombudswoman for the cantonal church of Zurich.
The processing time depends on the complexity of the report. All reports are processed promptly and carefully.
Yes, anyone submitting a report is protected from retaliation. Retaliation for reporting misconduct is prohibited and may result in disciplinary and/or legal action.
Yes, you can track the status of your report at any time. After submitting a report, you will receive a code to access your report and its status. You can even use it to communicate (anonymously) with the person responsible for reviewing your report.
Malicious false reporting is prohibited and may result in legal action. The reporting system should be used responsibly.
We will keep you informed during the review of a report and share general findings and actions without providing details.
Yes, the reporting system is permanently available.
Yes, the reporting system complies with applicable data protection laws to protect your data.
The reporting system has sound security measures, including TLS encryption, access controls, and regular security checks.
Your report is treated confidentially and is only accessible to authorized personnel.
Yes, you can attach relevant files or supporting documents to provide more context. Please note that you must not have obtained the files in violation of laws regarding secrecy and privacy (e.g. secretly making image or sound recordings in private spheres).
Reports are stored securely for as long as it is necessary to conduct the review of the report and to meet legal requirements. After the review is completed, the data is retained for three years in accordance with the data retention guidelines.
In general, reports can no longer be edited or deleted once they have been submitted. However, you can revoke the use of your personal data under our privacy policy. You are also able to provide additional information about your report via the reporting system at any time.