Pierre-Alain Fridez, Guido Fluri, Pascal Krauthammer, Alfred Heer ©Justice Initiative, Simone Padovani
At its winter session in 2024, the PACE Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development proposed a resolution recognising child abuse in institutions in Europe. Based on a report by National Council member Pierre-Alain Fridez (SP, JU), the resolution calls for full reparation for all forms of violence committed against children in public, private and religious institutions, including sexual abuse, physical violence and ill-treatment.
Pascal Krauthammer, Alfred Heer, Saskia Kluit, Präsidentin der Sozialkommission ©Justice Initiative, Simone Padovani
The conference on child abuse in institutions provided an opportunity to take stock of the situation in Europe, particularly in terms of applying the resolution in member states and the challenges this entails. The conference was attended by parliamentarians, politicians, members of NGOs and academics.
©Justice Initiative, Simone Padovani
Participants addressed a number of specific topics, with particular attention given to the possibility of using Switzerland's methods of recognising child abuse as a model for Europe. Susanne Kuster, deputy director of the Federal Office of Justice (FOJ), and Alexander Grob, director of the Care and Coercion National Research Programme (NRP 76), presented Switzerland's experiences in compensating victims. 
Susanne Kuster, Bundesamt für Justiz, ©Justice Initiative, Simone Padovani
The conference also provided a space for many survivors to share moving stories of their experiences. They stressed the importance of remembering, recognising the injustices that were suffered and making amends.
©Justice Initiative, Simone Padovani
National Councillor Alfred Heer (SVP, ZH), president of the Swiss delegation, opened the session alongside Guido Fluri, founder of the foundation of the same name. The conference was closed by Federal Councillor Beat Jans, head of the Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP). He welcomed the fact that many Council of Europe member states have taken up this difficult issue, as acknowledging and taking action on child abuse, and working to improve child protection, will allow them to significantly strengthen their own countries.
Pierre-Alain Fridez, Bundesrat Beat Jans, Pascal Krauthammer ©Justice Initiative, Simone Padovani