Almost every second child in Switzerland experiences physical or psychological violence in their upbringing. (symbolic image)
Keystone
Despite progress, violence in parenting remains a social problem. The organization Child Protection Switzerland reminds us of this. It is launching the eighth and final phase of its national prevention campaign on Monday.
In this final phase of the national campaign, the focus is on the alternative course of action: “Before you blow up: get some fresh air”, according to a statement from the organization. Fresh air helps when the situation at home becomes “explosive” and threatens to escalate.
Violence against children is often caused by excessive demands and stress in everyday life. A short break in the fresh air can help to calm them down. In order to be aware of such alternative courses of action, prevention remains important despite being enshrined in law. On September 9, the Council of States followed the National Council in advocating the incorporation of non-violent parenting into the Swiss Civil Code.
Half of children experience violence
Almost every second child in Switzerland experiences physical or psychological violence in their upbringing, and every fifth child in Switzerland regularly experiences psychological violence. Seven percent of all children are also regularly punished physically. This was revealed in a study presented by Child Protection Switzerland in November 2024.
According to the organization, these figures underline how important prevention and support services for parents and guardians remain – even after they have been enshrined in law.
Child Protection Switzerland states that it is an independent, donor-funded organization. The national awareness-raising campaigns over eight years could only have been realized thanks to the support of donors and partners, it said.
However, now that it has been enshrined in law, it is clear that the responsibility for sustainable prevention lies with the federal government and the cantons. They are now required to provide concrete support services for parents and professionals – from prevention to counseling, Regula Bernhard Hug, Director of Child Protection Switzerland, was quoted as saying in the press release.