Equality office informs with posters in stores about help in case of violence
Anyone who needs help in connection with domestic violence during the coronavirus crisis should know where to find it. The federal and cantonal task force wants to raise awareness of services with posters in stores. Restricted freedom of movement can lead to more aggression, writes the Gender Equality Office.
So far, the cantons have not recorded a significant increase in reports to victim support or the police, according to the Communication from the Federal Office for Gender Equality (FOGE) from Tuesday. Experts feared that victims would not come forward due to the restricted freedom of movement.
Notice in stores
The poster is to be displayed in stores and provide information about central points of contact to which victims of violence can turn. Pharmacies, bakeries, confectioners and drugstores have already pledged their support, writes the EBG. However, stores in all sectors should print it out and display it.
The aim of the poster is to encourage victims and their relatives or neighbors to seek information or advice from a victim advice center. According to the EBG, the police must be called in the event of an acute threat. They have the power to stop violence or arrange shelter.
The initiative for the poster comes from the federal and cantonal task force against domestic violence. The FOGE, the Federal Offices of Justice and Social Insurance and the relevant intercantonal conferences are represented on it.
Parliamentary commissions behind task force
The education committees of the National Council and Council of States want the task force set up to deal with domestic violence to continue to exist after the coronavirus crisis. They are of the opinion that the Federal Council should allocate further financial resources for the consultation.
Domestic violence is a widespread problem in Switzerland, regardless of the coronavirus crisis, writes the FOGE. Half of homicides are committed at home. Last year alone, the police registered 19,669 crimes in connection with domestic violence. (SDA)
