In Switzerland, the number of sexual assaults is significantly higher than often assumed, and the topic remains a major social taboo.
Here, you will find a selection of Swiss statistics and studies to provide an overview of the current situation and its relevance.
At least 1 in 5 women aged 16+ has experienced a sexual assault
More than 1 in 10 women have suffered sexual intercourse against their will
This is based on a representative survey of approximately 4,500 women conducted by the research institute gfs.Bern on behalf of Amnesty International (read more here).
Only a small fraction of survivors report assaults to the police—according to a 2019 survey, less than 8%.
In 2023, 1,371 rapes were recorded in Basel. Based on an estimated reporting rate of 8%, this suggests a projected figure of approximately 17,000 cases per year (read more here).
Sexual Harassment in Schools: Between 2014 and 2021, the rate of sexual harassment in school environments for girls nearly doubled—increasing from 19% to 36%.
Cyber-Harassment: Among female students, the rate rose from 28% in 2014 to 48% in 2021 (read more here).
In a 2021 youth study in Zurich, 15% of female 9th-grade students reported having experienced sexual assault or rape within the previous 30 months—a significant increase compared to previous years.
This represents an increase of +46.8% since 2014, when 16.3% of respondents reported at least one instance of victimization (read more here).
For more information on the topic click here.