Victim support Expansion of support services for victims of sexual and domestic violence

The Federal Council wants to expand the support services for victims of sexual and domestic violence. To this end, it has submitted a partial revision of the Victim Assistance Act for consultation. Specifically, this concerns medical and forensic support.

With the partial revision, the state government is implementing parliamentary motions, as it announced on Wednesday. Victims of violence must receive medical treatment immediately after the crime. In addition, injuries and traces must be documented by forensic medicine as quickly as possible.

According to the bill, the cantons should ensure that the relevant services are available and that access is low-threshold and guaranteed around the clock. Forensic medical documentation would be free of charge.

And victims would now be able to request documentation independently of a criminal complaint. The documentation could later be used as evidence, which the Federal Council expects to have a positive impact on charges and convictions.

The consultation will last until January 24, 2025.

SDA