Child Protection Agency in Switzerland

My understanding is that you can report abuse. It will not be anonymous- as it would be in the UK for example. The accused can ask and will be told who made the report.

ecmandria_t · 11 August 2018 20:37

To be honest I am shocked that is the case. I was really sceptical when I read that and went to check. According to this report in the Beobachter (German only I am afraid), it is pretty much a rule that the parents will be informed who made the report.

It's kind of frightening that if you report animal abuse you can remain anonymous, but not if you report child abuse!

Spanasimorra · 11 August 2018 20:44

Why?

Tom

ecmandria_t · 11 August 2018 21:00

If people suspect that a child is being abused, I would imagine that the fact that their name might be made public would be a possible deterrent. I understand that this may open the way for abusive reports, but on the other hand I would have thought that if a child is in danger one should rather err on the side of caution, i.e. by eliminating any such deterrent to reporting one's suspicions.

I can see both sides of the argument here, but I would be inclined to go with what I said above...

Weinbiri · 15 May 2019 09:55

It is still the case that child abuse cannot be reported anonymously in Switzerland?

I have reasons for my family and mine safety to only report anonymously.

I am in Vaud.

I strongly suspect a case of neglect. Two children appear to have been left alone while the mother (single parent) is away. I have been feeding one of the children three meals a day for about a week and they spend all their time, including weekends at our home. Child is clearly stressed, they are not Swiss. The children are primary school aged. I also do not believe this is the first time that this has occurred.

I am not a mandatory reporter. Advise on how to give the local school/teacher a heads up would be good either. School and teachers are very detached from personal lives and would not have an iota.

leophillalo · 15 May 2019 10:28

You think a mother has gone away somewhere and left two kids, primary school age at home? For a week?

I'd call the cops.. After day one.

However you say they spend the whole time at your place? Night time too? You feed one of them? What about the other one?

Whatever - it's a police issue, the mother might have gone out and jumped in the lake, dead, for all you know.

leophillalo · 15 May 2019 10:33

Have you asked the kids what the situation is? Presumably they will be able to tell you where the mother is. Even if they tell you she's at home or "round at Granny's" or whatever, you can usually deduce the level of authenticity in their story.

I'd start with the kids' version of what's going on then escalate it to the teacher at school if you think they are all alone.

Spanasimorra · 15 May 2019 10:49

Why the cops?

Tom

leophillalo · 15 May 2019 11:07

Because if it is critical they can intervene quickly and with not too much paperwork

Weinbiri · 15 May 2019 11:39

Situation is via my concerned child who was 'sworn to secrecy'. Other child is evasive and clearly lying when I ask. I do not want to cut off the child's perhaps only support system if I am too intrusive. I do not know the exact location of their residence.

I managed to catch their teacher out of sight and suggested that they question the child. The child has an obvious fake physical ailment which I think is a cry for attention from the school (and others). I used this as an excuse for the teacher to question the child and contact the parent also saying that I had not seen the mother for some time. He was non-plussed. I do not think that the teacher will do anything.

I used to work many years ago in this area, I have genuine fears for my safety and my family if not anonymous. The child's family is highly aggressive. Mother is a prostitute and father is currently incarcerated. Drink and drugs abound, this I have direct evidence of.

So still the question, can reporting to the Police or other be anonymous?

Note this is a suspicion, I do not have evidence of neglect.

Alectruffa · 15 May 2019 11:51

Unfortunately, the below website is in German, however, it states that a person can anonymously report child abuse at the KESB agency and that it will probably be investigated. The article explains that unanonymous reporting is more credible, however, the agency is aware that people want to protect themselves.

So, yes, please report the situation to your local child services agency and make it clear you want to stay anonymous in order to protect yourself.

Good luck.

https://www.beobachter.ch/familie/ki...nonyme-anzeige

Weinbiri · 15 May 2019 11:57

Thank you.

Jettinzugern · 15 May 2019 12:10

We were faced with a similar dilemma (child left alone) a few months ago and reported it via the Socialampt at the Germainde which then acted upon it without Police and the situation has improved. We often forget or don't know there is a lot of social help available here which if the family is foreign may not know about as it is not widely advertised.

It takes a village to raise a child, so good on you for doing your bit.

Weinbiri · 15 May 2019 12:23

Thank you, yes I understand that the social support system is excellent here once people are in it.

I only found out last night from my child of her 'secret' about the other child. Due to the other child's atrocious home life it has never been unusual for them to be at our place for long periods. I softly ask questions to them and they are evasive with their answers. Contact is cut from us if I am too intrusive, I know this from experience. Child is highly intelligent and incredibly street smart. I understand from my child that their sibling spends a lot of time at friends' houses.

I will escalate again apart from the teacher to an agency, if this pattern of behaviour continues over the next day or so. I am highly concerned. The child has stress written all over their face.

Spanasimorra · 15 May 2019 12:35

And what law is being broken, exactly?

Tom