Ultimate Blogging Challenge January 2026 - Beyond the Bruises

Photo by Gustavo Fring

The other day, I came across a documentary in which a young woman shared her experience after being raped. She arrived at the emergency room crying and shaking. The staff appeared compassionate and well-intentioned, and at the same time completely overwhelmed, unsure how to proceed, both psychologically and in terms of securing evidence. She was kept there for hours. The police were called, male officers. Eventually, she was sent home and told not to shower or change her clothes, because further evidence might still be needed later.

Excuse me?

No wonder the number of people who have the courage to seek help at the hospital, not to mention making a report to the police, is small.

In Switzerland, domestic violence is grossly under-reported: official police statistics recorded about 21,000 domestic-violence-related offences in 2024, but research suggests that only about 15–20% of victims ever report abuse to police, meaning the true number is likely several times higher. Sexual violence shows the same pattern: police recorded roughly 1,000 rapes in 2024, yet experts agree the real figure is far greater because many survivors do not report due to fear, shame or distrust of the justice system.

Unfortunately, this young lady's case did not sound like an isolated incident.

Let’s talk about stalking for a minute. Until very recently, Switzerland did not have a specific criminal offense for stalking, which meant that many cases of persistent harassment, repeated unwanted contact or obsessive following were hard for victims to get taken seriously by police unless they could point to concrete evidence of physical injury or another clear offence. Victims often report repeatedly contacting police only to be told there’s “nothing we can do” without proof of a specific crime because individual acts (like messages, unwanted visits, online contact) had to be prosecuted under scattered provisions like coercion or threats, which weren’t specifically tailored to stalking behavior.

A significant development is that, as of January 1, 2026, stalking has been expressly criminalized in the Swiss Criminal Code with its own provision, meaning that persistent harassing behaviour that severely restricts someone’s freedom now qualifies as an offense punishable by up to three years’ imprisonment or a fine. While prosecution generally still requires the victim to file a complaint, this new law fills a long-criticized gap in the legal framework and gives police and prosecutors a clearer basis to act when stalking is reported.

Seen from this perspective, Switzerland is only now beginning to fully acknowledge forms of violence that do not always leave visible marks. In cases of stalking, domestic abuse and sexual violence alike, the gap between victims’ lived experience and institutional thresholds for intervention has long created the impression that help comes too late. A reality tragically reflected in the fact that, on average, around 19 women a year are killed by a current or former partner in Switzerland, with recent tracking suggesting this pattern continues at roughly the same level.

I also think it’s important to acknowledge that certain couples may be at higher risk because of the clash between conservative gender norms and the freedoms of Swiss society. In some young relationships, particularly where men feel pressure to maintain “honor” and women have grown up with more autonomy, the desire for independence can be perceived as rebellion and control can escalate into coercion or violence. This is not about blaming a religion or nationality, but about recognizing that power dynamics, social isolation, and fear of shame can create a dangerous environment for women who want the same freedoms as their peers.

That said, there are promising developments. The Canton of Zurich is running a pilot project that could significantly improve the situation: 

At the ER (or even on your own initiative, by calling 📞 0800 09 09 09) you may ask for a forensic nurse. She will see you, listen to you, perform medical procedures, secure evidence if needed, and explain your options, including connecting you with victim support services (Opferhilfe), which provide confidential counselling and legal guidance.

We often think of Switzerland as a safe, orderly place, but safety is not just about low crime rates. It’s also about how we respond when someone’s life is shattered by violence. If victims are told to “come back when there’s proof,” the message is clear: their pain doesn’t count until it’s visible.

That is why legal reform and better training in hospitals and police departments matter, but so does public awareness and cultural change.

By the way, the numbers I mention here, sound low. Keep in mind, we only have about 9 million citizens in Switzerland. 

What would it take for you to feel confident that a victim would be treated with care, competence and dignity if they came forward?