Swiss protection agencies register up to 50,000 child abuse cases every year

Between 30,000 and 50’000 children who suffer abuse are registered by the child protection authorities in Switzerland every year, according to a study published on Wednesday. The children required help because they had experienced physical or psychological violence, neglect, sexual abuse or had witnessed domestic violence. The study by the Zurich-based UBS Optimus Foundation analysed the number of abuse cases, the types of welfare risks in Switzerland and the kinds of services provided by the various child protection organisations. In a press release published on Wednesday, the foundation wrote that the high number of cases recorded should serve as a “wake-up call”. + UN body nominee decries child abuse in Switzerland The researchers surveyed a total of 423 Swiss child protection agencies, of which over 80% participated in the study. The agencies included government-sponsored bodies such as KESB, hospitals, the police and victim aid services. They found that between two ...