Call

Menu

Call

Close

Victim Support law

As a victim of a crime, you have specific rights and claims.

What is victim support?

In Switzerland, there is a law (in force since 1993) that protects people who have been victims of crime. This law is called the Victim Support Act. It ensures that all cantons have counseling centers that provide victims with free and confidential support.
Victim support is available to all people who have been physically or emotionally injured by a crime or who have been subjected to sexualized violence.

All victims of violence have the right to free and confidential counseling and support after a crime. Relatives of victims are also entitled to counseling.

All victims of violence have the following rights:
  • Consulting and Support
  • Information about rights and claims
  • Financial assistance, if certain conditions are met
  • Referral to specialists (doctors and therapists) when needed
  • the possibility of lodging a claim for compensation or satisfaction (up to five years after the act)

These rights apply regardless of whether the offense is reported or prosecuted.

  • Victims of domestic or sexual violence have additional special rights in criminal proceedings.
Costs incurred in connection with the criminal offense may be covered by Victim Support under certain conditions. These contributions are subsidiary and do not cover material damage. Subsidiary means, for example, that the health insurance company pays the costs first, and victim assistance covers the remaining balance (deductible and co-payment).

Compensatory damages and moral damages can be claimed from Victim Support. This is possible up to 5 years after the offense if no criminal proceedings have been initiated. Or one year after the end of the criminal proceedings.

We advise and help with questions concerning the Victims Assistance Act and refer specialists (lawyers, therapists) if necessary.

Victims' rights in criminal proceedings

The police or the public prosecutor's office informs victims about important decisions in the proceedings, for example:
  • when an investigation begins or ends
  • if the pre-trial detention is lifted
  • if protective measures are ordered

Further information on the right to information (Art. 92a SCC)

Victims have the right:

  • to take a trusted person with you to the interview
  • that the accused person is not in the same room
  • to request that the interview be conducted by a person of the same sex in the case of questions on intimate topics in cases of sexualized violence. You may also refuse to give evidence.

Further information on protective rights (Art. 152 para. 3 Code of Criminal Procedure)

Victims can make civil claims in criminal proceedings. These are compensatory damages and moral damages. Compensation is money for damage caused. Satisfaction is a kind of reparation. Victims must declare their willingness to participate in the proceedings. Then you are considered a private plaintiff.

Further information on the rights of participation (Art. 222 StPO)

Further information on this topic