Shortcomings in accommodation provision for victims of violence
Bern, 25.06.2025 — Despite an increase in the number of places in emergency accommodation and shelters for victims of violence in Switzerland, the current situation is not sufficient to meet the growing demand for support. At its meeting on 25 June, the Federal Council adopted a report expressing concern about this situation. It encourages the efforts announced by the cantons to provide sufficient accommodation in the various regions and adapted to the specific needs of different population groups.
Since 2017, the number of shelters for women who have experienced violence, as well as the number of beds in these facilities and in emergency accommodation centres, has increased in Switzerland. However, provision remains insufficient to meet the growing demand. This situation leads to long waiting times and, in some cases, refusal of care. Overcrowding, staff shortages and an inadequate match between available places and the needs of those seeking protection mean that many shortcomings remain in the provision of residential services. Emergency accommodation and shelters are therefore difficult to access for other victims of violence, such as young people, people with disabilities or health problems, older people, men and LGBTIQ people. There are also significant differences in the availability of services within regions, between regions and between urban centres and peripheral areas.
This is shown in the Federal Council's report in response to postulate 23.3016 of the National Council's Science, Education and Culture Committee (SECC-N). The report is based on a review conducted by the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW) and HETS Fribourg on behalf of the Conference of Cantonal Directors of Social Affairs (CDSS).
The Federal Council is concerned about this situation and considers it unsatisfactory. It regrets that the 2021 recommendations by the CDSS have only been partially implemented and that the objective of sustainable funding for women's shelters has only been partially achieved. It therefore welcomes the decision by the CDSS to set up a working group to develop robust solutions in all regions of Switzerland. It encourages the cantons to continue their efforts, in particular to improve the availability and accessibility of shelters and emergency accommodation for all victims of violence, to strengthen the coordination of services and the provision of post-accommodation support, to improve information for target groups and to ensure sustainable funding for services.
For its part, the Federal Council will monitor the work already under way at federal level to prevent and combat violence, which will improve the information available to those affected about the support services available to them and their access to these services. A revision of the Victim Support Act VSA is currently underway. The Federal Council will continue to work within its remit to ensure that all victims of violence have access to the protection and support they need.
Further information:
Research report Study on shelters and emergency accommodation for people affected by violence in Switzerland (de)
Postulate 23.3016 Minors and young adults exposed to violence. What solutions for which regions? (de, fr, it)
Recommendations on the funding of women’s shelters and the provision of post-accommodation support. CDSS, 27 May 2021 (de, fr)
Rapport CF Personnes Mineures Et Adultes Exposees A La Violence Etat Des Lieux Et Besoins