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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:
  • Advice and support
  • Information on rights and claims
  • Financial assistance if certain conditions are met
  • Referral to specialists (doctors and therapists) if required
  • the possibility of applying for compensation or satisfaction (up to five years after the crime)

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

  • Victims of domestic or sexualized violence also have special rights in criminal proceedings
Costs incurred in connection with the crime can be covered by victim support under certain conditions. These cost contributions are subsidiary and do not cover material damage. Subsidiary means, for example, that the health insurance company pays the costs first and Victim Support covers the remaining amount (deductible and excess).

Compensation and 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 relating to the Victim Assistance Act and, if necessary, refer you to specialists (lawyers, therapists).

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
  • when asking about intimate topics in cases of sexualized violence, to request that the interview be conducted by a person of the same sex. You may also refuse to testify.

Further information on legal protections (Art. 152(3) of the Code of Criminal Procedure)

In criminal proceedings, victims can claim civil damages. These include compensation for damages and satisfaction. Compensation for damages is money for harm caused. Satisfaction is a form of reparation. For this, the victim must declare their intention to participate in the proceedings. They are then considered a private co-plaintiff.

Further information on participation rights (Art. 222 Criminal Procedure Code)

Further information on this topic