The Swiss voice in the world since 1935
Top stories
Stay in touch with Switzerland

Sex workers in Switzerland regularly face violence

Sex workers often experience violence in Switzerland too
Sex workers often experience violence in Switzerland too Keystone-SDA

Sex workers also frequently experience violence in Switzerland, accoding to an exploratory study.

On behalf of the organisation Procore, researchers interviewed 24 sex workers from all Swiss language regions. The results correspond to what is known from similar surveys abroad.

Around 70% of those surveyed reported so-called stealthing – i.e. removal of the condom against their wishes. Around half experienced discrimination, insults or theft of money or objects. This is not a representative survey, but an exploratory study, those responsible emphasised at a media conference in Bern on Thursday.

The cause of the violence is not sex work as such, but its stigmatisation, Procore stated in the communiqué. Accordingly, the organisation also opposes a ban on buying sex and the punishment of clients, as is the case in Sweden and France, among others. Where sex work is legal, violence generally decreases, claims the advocacy group.

Adapted from German by DeepL/ac

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

News

National voters decide on three proposals on 30 November

More

Swiss voters to decide on three issues on November 30

This content was published on Compulsory service for all, a tax on million-dollar inheritances, more indirect subsidies for media publishers: the electorate can vote on these three national issues on November 30.

Read more: Swiss voters to decide on three issues on November 30
Keller-Sutter and Macron discuss US tariffs in Paris

More

Swiss and French presidents discuss US tariffs

This content was published on Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter has met French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss the EU treaties and geopolitical challenges. US tariffs were also part of the bilateral talks.

Read more: Swiss and French presidents discuss US tariffs
Wetlands in Switzerland are in poor condition

More

Wetlands in Switzerland in poor condition

This content was published on Swiss moors and floodplains are in a poor state. Researchers say further efforts are needed to preserve these biotopes in the long term.

Read more: Wetlands in Switzerland in poor condition
Flight ban for drones during the three Euro games in St. Gallen

More

Drones banned during the three Euro games in St Gallen

This content was published on The St. Gallen government has issued a temporary ban on flying drones around the football stadium in St. Gallen. The measure will apply on three match days of Euro 2025, which starts on Wednesday.

Read more: Drones banned during the three Euro games in St Gallen
Free movement: labour immigration to Switzerland

More

EU nationals come to Switzerland primarily to work

This content was published on Given the demographic slowdown, the Swiss labour market must remain open, argues the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) in its annual report on the free movement of people.

Read more: EU nationals come to Switzerland primarily to work
UN expert accuses Glencore of complicity with Israel

More

UN expert accuses Glencore of complicity with Israel

This content was published on The UN Special Rapporteur on the Palestinian Territories has accused Zug-based Glencore of profiting from an Israeli economy that has become "an economy of genocide".

Read more: UN expert accuses Glencore of complicity with Israel
According to a survey, electricity prices will fall in 2026

More

Swiss electricity prices predicted to fall in 2026

This content was published on Electricity prices in 2026 are likely to be lower than this year, according to a survey. The main reason is the fall in prices on the electricity market.

Read more: Swiss electricity prices predicted to fall in 2026

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!

If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR