Domestic violence

In 2011, the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence was signed in Istanbul.

Switzerland acceded to this Convention in 2017 with entry into force on April 1, 2018.
Since that date, the cantons have developed a Cantonal Action Plan on Domestic Violence aimed at concretizing the principles of the Europe Convention in the reality of our canton.

Domestic violence manifests itself in a variety of ways: while physical violence is the most visible form, in most cases it is not the only form to which the victim is exposed. Psychological, economic and sexual violence very often act as a corollary to physical violence.

Victims of domestic violence find special attention in the EOC Emergency Services. The seriousness of the experience they have undergone is acknowledged to these people and the quickest possible, discreet and aimed not only at medical intake but also at the patient's experience is ensured. Emergency department caregivers are trained specifically on this issue, particularly to recognize all those situations where the violence suffered is not made explicit by the victim.

What our Services offer is the treatment of the injuries suffered, the collection of the medical-legal elements for a possible report to the public prosecutor's office, and the offer of protection to the victims. Treatment of injuries resulting from physical violence is provided according to the rules of medical art. Counseling and treatment regarding sexually transmitted diseases is provided in cases of rape. The authority (police or public prosecutor's office) is not involved except with the specific consent of the victim. For each case of domestic violence, the elements for a report to the public prosecutor are collected. In particular, the patient's medical history is collected and a complete physical examination is performed. In addition to this, photographs are taken according to medico-legal standards. These elements enable the preparation of the report for the public prosecutor. The report and photographic documentation is kept in the medical record and remains available to the victim for possible reporting at a later date or for other needs.

The ultimate goal with respect to the intake of victims of domestic violence is to get them into protection. Because each patient is unique in terms of his or her history, cultural background, and expectations, each intervention is tailored to the victim's needs.

For those in need of removal from their homes, we have regular contact with the two shelter homes operating in the Canton. Both have a picket service that offers support and counseling to victims as well as can activate for reception of the same in the facility. If the protected homes do not meet the needs of placing in protection, other solutions can be evaluated, such as hospitalization, which can be offered in all those situations where medical care is needed or the patient's situation makes it impossible for her to be received in a protected facility.

Domestic violence has important consequences on children who experience this reality even when the violence occurs mainly between parents/adults of reference. If there are children involved our team interfaces with pediatric colleagues and a collegial decision is made on how to proceed.

The domestic violence group collaborates with the EOC's Child Maltreatment Interdisciplinary Group (GIMI), a multidisciplinary advisory team for professional figures. GIMI supports the collection and analysis of child reports, considering risk and protective factors, as well as elements such as the family, cultural, and socioeconomic environment, to safeguard the child's well-being.