Politics · Switzerland · 20 hrs ago
Lucerne to offer evidence collection for domestic violence victims without a complaint
From 2027, the canton of Lucerne plans to test a service for people affected by domestic violence.
Specially trained forensic nurses will collect and document evidence at locations in Lucerne, Sursee and Wolhusen.
Until now, evidence collection has generally been linked to filing a criminal complaint, and people have faced travel and time pressures.
Under the pilot, evidence will be collected only if the person wants it and agrees.
Police or other law enforcement authorities will be involved only if the person asks, after being told about the legal consequences.
The nurses will also explain people’s rights and can connect them with victim support services.
Lucerne recorded 562 domestic violence offences in 2025, up from 481 in 2024; regular service is planned for 2028, when a revised federal victim support law takes effect.
Lucerne plans to let domestic violence victims have forensic evidence collected without filing a criminal complaint.
The canton will start a pilot project with specialised forensic nurses in 2027.
The service is planned for three locations: Lucerne, Sursee and Wolhusen.
The project is due to move into regular operation in 2028, when a revised federal victim support law takes effect.
Police recorded 562 domestic violence offences in Lucerne in 2025, up from 481 in 2024.
- Who
- Domestic violence victims in the canton of Lucerne.
- What
- Specialised forensic nurses will collect and document evidence without requiring victims to file a criminal complaint.
- When
- The pilot project is planned to start in 2027, with regular operation planned for 2028.
- Where
- At three locations in the canton of Lucerne: Lucerne, Sursee and Wolhusen.
- Why
- The project aims to make evidence collection easier and avoid requiring victims to decide quickly whether to file a complaint.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Children and young people always had to go to Zurich
Evidence is collected exclusively at the victim's request and with their consent.
Lucerne police recorded 481 offences involving domestic violence.
The number of offences recorded by Lucerne police rose to 562.
Lucerne plans to start its pilot project with forensic nurses at three locations.
Regular operation is planned to begin as the revised federal victim support law takes effect.
- Pilot start
- 2027
- Pilot locations
- Lucerne, Sursee and Wolhusen
- Planned staffing
- Around 600 full-time-equivalent percentage points, or six full-time posts
- Domestic violence offences in 2024
- 481
- Domestic violence offences in 2025
- 562
Sources
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