When parents separate, it is crucial not to confuse conflictual situations with those involving domestic violence. Yet this confusion persists, even among child protection workers.

👉 Why is this important?

These two contexts require completely different approaches. A poor assessment can have serious consequences:

Training and coordinating professionals is essential!

📌An overview of the report of the Latin Observatory for Children and Youth (2024) in the carousel below.

🔗 Link to the full report (FR) HERE

Switzerland is desperately short of places in women’s shelters

The recent report by SRF (Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen) highlights an alarming reality: women’s shelters full to bursting, a lack of coordination between the cantons, and a political promise to combat domestic violence that often goes unheeded.

The Federal Council and several cantons have recognised the importance of combating domestic violence. In 2018, Switzerland also ratified the Istanbul Convention. But the resources needed to protect victims are not forthcoming. Until sufficient resources are allocated to provide safe accommodation, it is the women and their children who will pay the price.

However, effective approaches exist elsewhere, such as in France, where judicial observation centres place the perpetrators of violence under surveillance while allowing the family to remain in the home. Swiss policies could benefit from a closer look at these models.

Here are some figures from the DAO’s (Dachorganisation der Frauenhäuser Schweiz und Liechtenstein) 2023 activity report:

An essential podcast on coercive control in domestic violence

Dr Andreea Gruev-Vintilă is a researcher in social psychology and HDR lecturer at the University of Paris Nanterre. She is internationally recognised for her work on domestic violence, gender stereotypes and social norms. In 2023, she published a key work entitled “Coercive control: at the heart of domestic violence”, which is helping to shape legislation and raise awareness around the world.

In this episode of the podcast “Un poing c’est tout”, Dr Gruev-Vintilă talks to Adrien Roland Boulogne. She explores in depth the concept of coercive control in the context of domestic violence, detailing the psychological mechanisms and social norms that make it a particularly insidious form of violence. In particular, she discusses the history of the development of this concept in the marital context, the legislative challenges and the far-reaching implications for victims.

A must listen HERE

In Switzerland and elsewhere, the concept of parental alienation is the subject of intense debate and continues to be used in child custody cases, despite its lack of scientific basis.

This pseudo-concept is often invoked in child custody cases to the detriment of mothers who are victims of domestic violence, exposing children to dangerous environments.

The 2023 report by the United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls,

Reem Alsalem, aims to shed light on the impact of parental alienation on judicial decisions and to highlight its consequences for women’s rights and the protection of children.

The full report is available in several languages HERE.

Key elements of the report are presented in the video below.

Child abuse is revolting

As 2024 draws to a close, KidsToo takes stock of a year rich in projects and commitments.

These projects include our fight to enshrine coercive control in law.

We were fortunate to be able to count on valuable support, including that of Jacqueline de Quattro, a National Councillor who has long been committed to protecting victims. She talks about this in this article in Blick.

The work continues in 2025. We will redouble our efforts to ensure that politicians hear our voice and accept this postulate, which is vital for the protection of children and victims of domestic violence.

Thank you to all those who are walking alongside us on this long journey.