Summary

The Swiss Federal Council is consolidating its efforts against domestic, sexualized, and gender-based violence in a joint national strategy. The Federal Department of Justice and Police (EJPD) and the Federal Department of the Interior (EDI) are developing this strategy in close collaboration with cantons, cities, and municipalities. The work was officially launched on February 5, 2026, signaling a determined commitment by the federal government to combat violence at all levels.

Persons

Topics

  • Domestic Violence
  • Sexualized Violence
  • Gender-Based Violence
  • National Security Policy
  • Federal Cooperation

Clarus Lead

The Swiss Federal Council is consolidating its measures to combat domestic, sexualized, and gender-based violence in a coordinated national strategy. Two central departments – the EJPD and the EDI – are for the first time combining their previous individual approaches. This enables a coherent, cross-departmental response to a core societal problem. The strategy involves cantons, cities, and municipalities and underscores federal commitment at all administrative levels.

Detailed Summary

The Federal Department of Justice and Police and the Federal Department of the Interior have previously acted against violence within their respective areas of responsibility. The EJPD traditionally focuses on criminal prosecution and security, while the EDI covers health and social affairs. By merging these approaches in a joint national strategy, a more holistic response to domestic, sexualized, and gender-based violence is created.

Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider and Federal Councillor Beat Jans signal with this initiative a strengthened commitment against violence. Cooperation with cantons, cities, and municipalities is central, as these levels are often the first point of contact for those affected and implement prevention and intervention locally. The strategy launched on February 5, 2026, marks a turning point from isolated to coordinated action.

Key Statements

  • The Federal Council is consolidating violence prevention efforts from two departments (EJPD, EDI) in a joint national strategy.
  • Federal cooperation with cantons, cities, and municipalities is a structural component of the approach.
  • The initiative addresses three forms of violence: domestic, sexualized, and gender-based violence as a cross-cutting issue.

Critical Questions

  1. Evidence/Data Quality: What data basis (case numbers, dark figure estimates) underlies the new strategy, and how will success be measured?

  2. Conflicts of Interest: How are potential conflicts between criminal prosecution (EJPD) and victim protection/social work (EDI) resolved to avoid endangering those affected?

  3. Causality/Alternatives: Why was a joint strategy only launched now – which previous coordination gaps led to this decision?

  4. Feasibility/Risks: How are cantons and municipalities with different resources involved in implementation without creating new disparities?

  5. Timeline/Concretization: What specific measures, milestones, and budgets are provided for in the strategy?

  6. Involvement of Those Affected: To what extent are victim organizations and organizations of those affected involved in strategy development?

Source Directory

Primary Source: Press Release EDI/EJPD: National Strategy Against Domestic, Sexualized, and Gender-Based Violence – Published February 5, 2026

Verification Status: ✓ February 5, 2026

This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial Responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-Check: February 5, 2026