Terms of Use

This English version is only for reference. In case of doubt, the German version shall prevail.

Introduction

Scope of application

Use of the website (www.nightline.ch/www.nightline-zuerich.ch) and the counselling services offered by Nightline Zurich, a commission of the ETH Student Union (VSETH), is governed by these terms of use. Any services provided by third parties are subject to the relevant guidelines of the partners – in particular, these terms and conditions do not automatically apply to chat services offered by other providers (other Nightline organisations) that are accessible via the nightline.ch domain.

Updating

By using the services of Nightline Zurich, you accept these terms of use. The version of the terms of use published on www.nightline.ch at the time of use is binding. Nightline Zurich reserves the right to amend these terms of use at any time. In case of doubt, the German version of these terms of use shall prevail.

Legal entity

Where the services of Nightline Zurich are referred to below, reference is made to the VSETH Nightline Zurich Commission and the VSETH as its legal entity.

Address

Nightline Zürich
Verband der Studierenden an der ETH (VSETH)
CAB
Universitätsstrasse 6
CH-8092 Zürich

Disclaimer website

Nightline Zurich accepts no liability or guarantee for the topicality, correctness, completeness, non-infringement of third-party rights, freedom from viruses or suitability for a particular purpose with regard to the Nightline Zurich website. In particular, it is not liable for lost profits or other direct or indirect damages resulting from the use of the website.

Nightline Zurich accepts no liability for the way in which users interpret and implement information and advice from informational texts. Likewise, it accepts no liability for the services of partner companies or other third parties that operate the website.

Disclaimer Consulting Services

To the extent permitted by law, Nightline Zurich accepts no liability for the advice it provides, nor for any consequences arising from actions taken by users as a result of the advice given. Users are responsible for how they handle information and for their own actions. Contacting Nightline Zurich and communicating with it in the course of counselling does not give rise to any contractual obligations.

Invalidity of division

The invalidity of individual provisions shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions and the Terms of Use as such. Should one or more provisions of the Terms of Use be or become wholly or partially inadmissible, ineffective or otherwise unenforceable for any reason, this shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions of the Terms of Use, and the invalid provision shall be replaced by a provision that the parties would have negotiated in good faith had they been aware of the invalidity of the provisions in question.

Applicable law and place of jurisdiction

Die vorliegenden Nutzungsbestimmungen sowie das Verhältnis zwischen Nightline Zürich und ihren Nutzenden unterstehen ausschliesslich schweizerischem Recht. Für Streitigkeiten aus diesem Rechtsverhältnis sind die ordentlichen Gerichte am Sitz des VSETH zuständig. Der VSETH ist jedoch nach seiner freien Wahl berechtigt, seine Ansprüche auch am Wohnsitz der nutzenden Person geltend zu machen.

General information about counselling

Target groups for counselling

The counselling services are primarily available to students at Zurich universities. In principle, the services are also freely accessible to people outside the primary target group. However, Nightline Zurich reserves the right to impose restrictions on use for these individuals at its own discretion. Depending on the channel, our counselling is provided by telephone, via an anonymous email form on the website (‘email’) or via chat. All persons who contact us in one of these ways are referred to below as users.

We would like to point out that the services offered by Dargebotene Hand (tel. 143, or chat and email at www.143.ch) are aimed at the general population of Switzerland, and that Pro Juventute (tel. 147 or chat at 147.ch) offers corresponding services specifically for children and young people. In addition, many European universities also offer a student Nightline service similar to ours.

Limits of counselling

An empathetic conversation on the phone or an online dialogue can provide relief and encouragement. However, users who find themselves in a legal, medical, psychological or financial emergency should seek advice from specialists. Counselling is no substitute for therapy or medical help. The counselling sessions are generally intended as initial consultations: no follow-up or counselling processes are offered. Nightline Zurich reserves the right to limit the duration of the consultation and individual counselling services so that as many users as possible can be helped.

Employee qualifications

The staff who offer counselling at Nightline Zurich are volunteers. They study at a Zurich university and therefore have first-hand knowledge of the problems and challenges of everyday student life. They have also been trained in non-directive communication and active listening and possess empathy and self-reflection skills. Their skills and expertise are continuously expanded through further training, intervision and supervision. No bots or voice recognition programmes are used.

Anonymity and confidentiality

Anonymity and confidentiality are guaranteed at all times by all members of Nightline Zurich. If counsellors realise that they recognise the person seeking help, they disclose this immediately. Counsellors do not tell outsiders that they work for Nightline Zurich. If those seeking help feel the need to address their counterpart by name, the counsellors use a pseudonym of their own choosing. Users are never asked for personal details such as their age, name, place of residence, etc. Nightline Zurich does not disclose any information to third parties about people who may have been in contact with it – neither whether they had contact with Nightline Zurich nor the content of that contact. This also applies after the death of the persons concerned.

Anonymity is usually only waived with the consent of the users, for example if they ask Nightline Zurich to call an ambulance. The contact information of users is stored by the providers, but this information is only used in rare exceptional cases:

• if life and limb are in danger (e.g. threat of a school shooting)
• in the event of continued misuse of the service (e.g. for a criminal complaint)
• or by court order in connection with a criminal offence

Data storage

After each conversation or online dialogue, anonymous information about the type of conversation (language, medium, duration, time, etc.), the topics discussed (e.g. suicidal tendencies, relationship issues, loneliness) and, if known, the user’s university affiliation and gender is collected for statistical purposes. This information is used for annual reports and to evaluate demand, and is stored indefinitely. It also helps to identify and combat misuse of the service. All chat histories are deleted after the end of the conversation. Anonymous email histories are deleted after a maximum of 6 months. All data is classified as ‘confidential’. By using the counselling service, users expressly consent to the storage of their data. Further information on data protection can be found in the privacy policy.

Counseling approach

The counselling provided by Nightline Zurich is based on a humanistic view of humanity and is geared towards a non-directive, resource-oriented approach. It is limited by the possibilities offered by counselling without direct contact. The counselling service provided by Nightline Zurich is primarily intended as a listening service. Active listening is used to provide relief to users and give them space to reflect on their situation and possible solutions.

Nightline Zurich reserves the right to terminate counselling at any time and to ask the user to contact another service that may be more appropriate for their problem. Possible points of contact include Tel. 143 – die Dargebotene Hand, the emergency number 144 or an emergency psychiatrist. This is not done lightly and generally serves to protect both the user and the counsellor.

Disclaimer

Provided that the counsellors have done everything reasonable during the counselling session to avert danger to the user, there is no criminal liability in terms of failure to render assistance (Art. 128 StGB). This is all the more true given that it is often impossible to correctly assess the level of danger in online channels.

Abuse

Nightline Zurich does not tolerate offensive, derogatory, sexually harassing, discriminatory or threatening comments towards its counsellors or third parties. Such comments are considered abusive, will be warned against and, if repeated, will result in the termination of the conversation or online dialogue. Repeated disruptions to the service may result in the temporary suspension of the user. If the abusive contact continues despite warnings, Nightline Zurich reserves the right to take legal action against such users.

Usage of the telephone channel

Organisation of the telephone channel

Telephone counselling is generally available during the Nightline Zurich service hours published on the website. However, during semester breaks or for internal organisational reasons, only online channels (chat and email) may be available at times. This service is provided by Nightline Zurich counsellors working in shifts. Repeated callers are not entitled to receive counselling from the same person.

Capacity constraints

During periods of high demand, all telephone lines may be busy. In this case, users have the option of calling back later or using the online counselling service. If demand is high, counsellors may end telephone conversations at their own discretion in order to be available to other users. Those affected can take advantage of another counselling service offered by Nightline Zurich, call back at a later time or contact Tel. 143 – Die Dargebotene Hand.

Anonymity in the telephone channel

The telephone numbers that call Nightline on 044 633 77 77 are not displayed to volunteers. Telephone calls are not recorded. However, the telephone numbers are recorded in the ETH Zurich telephone system and may also be accessible to participating telephone providers. This information is only used in extremely rare exceptional cases, see General information about counselling.

Use of the chat channel

Organisation of the chat channel

A chat dialogue can be started without registration and is available during the service hours specified on the website. This service is provided by Nightline Zurich’s counsellors working in shifts. Users cannot expect to be counselled by the same person if they make repeated chat requests.

Capacity constraints

The chat channel is used very frequently. Nightline Zurich therefore asks for your patience if the chat room is busy for a long time. In urgent cases, you can call 143 – the Dargebotene Hand helpline – around the clock. During a conversation, the counsellors may need some time to compose a reply.

Anonymity in the chat channel

Each user decides how much information they wish to disclose about themselves in the chat dialogue. The chat platform records the time of registration and an anonymised part of the user’s IP address. In exceptional cases, Nightline Zurich reserves the right to store the full IP address. This may make it possible to identify users. This information is only used in extremely rare exceptional cases, see General information about counselling.

Data exchange is encrypted. It is based on the HTTPS standard, which is also used in online banking, for example. However, Nightline Zurich points out that data on the global network is not completely secure from unauthorised access by third parties. To reduce this risk, the content of chat counselling sessions is deleted after the conversation has ended.

Use of the mail channel

Organisation of the mail channel

Registration is required for dialogue via the anonymous mail form. To maintain anonymity, a nickname (pseudonym) can be chosen. Afterwards, it is possible to log into the mail system on our website and write messages as well as read replies. E-mail messages in the usual sense are not sent and no e-mail address is required. You can start a consultation via email at any time. Email enquiries are usually answered within 48 hours, but longer response times are possible, especially during the semester breaks.

This service is provided by the Nightline Zurich counsellors working in shifts. Users cannot expect to be counselled by the same person if they send multiple emails.

Capacity constraints

Nightline Zurich cannot guarantee a timely response, as this depends on the workload of its staff. Email counselling is therefore not suitable for situations that require immediate support. During service hours, chat and telephone are available for faster responses. In urgent cases, you can call 143 – the Dargebotene Hand (Helping Hand) – around the clock.

More complex questions and situations are often described in the email channel. Nightline Zurich therefore asks for your patience if the response takes a little longer.

Anonymity in the mail channel

Each user decides how much information they disclose about themselves in email correspondence. A private email address is not required, but can be provided voluntarily. Neither the optional email address nor the login name are displayed to employees when they respond to messages. The contents of messages are deleted within a maximum of 6 months after the conversation has ended. The email platform records all IP addresses in so-called ‘log files’. This makes it possible to identify users. This information is only used in extremely rare exceptional cases, see General information on counselling.

Data exchange is encrypted. It is based on the HTTPS standard, which is also used in online banking, for example. However, Nightline Zurich points out that data on the global network is not completely secure from unauthorised access by third parties.

Use of the website

Website content

Nightline Zurich reserves the right to modify, redesign or remove individual information offerings, functionalities or services from the website www.nightline.ch / www.nightline-zuerich.ch without prior notice. It is not responsible for the consequences if certain information is not or no longer available in its previous form. It does not guarantee that the information provided on the internet is always up to date, accurate and complete.

Content rights

The content of this website is protected by copyright and other intellectual property rights. All rights reserved. The storage and reproduction of texts, images or graphics from this website is not permitted, with the exception of processes necessary for normal access to the website.

References and links

Nightline Zurich is not liable for the content of third parties – be it websites, offers or addresses – to which the website directly or indirectly refers or links. It has no influence on third-party websites and therefore accepts no responsibility. Users follow links at their own risk.

Nightline Zurich does not receive any kickbacks or commissions for links to third-party offers.

Availability, functionality

Nightline Zurich cannot guarantee the permanent availability of the website. It cannot rule out the possibility that access to the website may be unavailable for shorter or longer periods of time due to technical problems.

Similarly, there is no guarantee that the website and the online contact options offered on it will be free of defects. No claims can therefore be made against Nightline Zurich if functions on the website are interrupted or faulty or if the website contains malware.

References

We would like to thank the association Tel 143 – Die Dargebotene Hand for allowing us to use their terms of use as the basis for this document. Nightline Zurich is solely responsible for this version.