I've been scouring around trying to find a resource at the university, ngos, anywhere and I really don't know who to contact. I have to live in the canton of my permit, but my university is in another canton. I have been living with my boyfriend, but he has become physically violent and I need to get out asap. Who can I talk to about the legal issues of moving out of the canton?

Changing cantons requires some paperwork if you are non-EU, but it is quite straightforward. Find a place to stay in the new canton, go and register at the local commune office with the relevant documents, such as the rental contract, and a document from your university showing that you are a student, and the application for a new permit from the new canton will start. If they need additional documents they will ask for them later.

Ideally, it is advised to get permission in advance from the new canton, but it is not binding. You can delay the notification of departure from the old canton until you get permission from the new canton after moving there (I have).

I'm very sorry to hear that you're in such a situation.

I don't know about the permit regulations, but maybe the 'Frauenhaus' can help you. The hp is also in English.

http://www.frauennottelefon.ch/

According to the homepage they offer legal advise as well. So they should know how to proceed in your case. There are also a couple of threads concerning this theme when you use the search function. I didn't link them but I found a couple.

I wish you the best and hope you can move out soon!