Sexual Violence, Long-Term Consequences

Context

In brief

• 623 cases of sexual assault recorded between 2022 and 2024.
• 177 victims, nearly all women.
• 57% significant anxiety at 12 months.

Key facts

• What: 623 cases of sexual assault recorded between 2022 and 2024.
• When: between November 2022 and December 2024.
• Where: hospitals in French-speaking Switzerland.
• Who: victims followed for 3-12 months.
• Amount: 177 victims.

Sexual violence, the consequences are many and lasting. A new Romand study has shown that the consequences of a sexual assault are indelible and persist for months with high rates of depression, anxiety, and physical disorders. This content was published on April 29, 2026 - 17:02.

The alarming picture that emerges from a large-scale survey conducted between 2022 and 2024 in the hospitals of French-speaking Switzerland, the results of which were made public on Wednesday, shows that the consequences of a sexual assault do not disappear in the weeks following the trauma but persist for months, marking the psychological, physical, and sexual health of the victims in an indelible way. This is the alarming picture that emerges from a large-scale survey conducted between 2022 and 2024 in the hospitals of French-speaking Switzerland, the results of which were made public on Wednesday.

The study, coordinated by the Geneva University Hospitals (HUG) in collaboration with the CHUV in Lausanne, the Valais hospital, and five public hospitals in Vaud, made it possible to systematically follow the victims for 3-12 months, for the first time in the Swiss context. A methodological novelty that, according to the promoters, made it possible to look beyond the acute phase of the problem, offering an unprecedented look at a pain that has so far been underestimated.

Between November 2022 and December 2024, the participating healthcare facilities recorded 623 cases of sexual assault. Of these, 454 met the study's inclusion criteria and 178 people (39%) agreed to participate. Nearly all participants (177) identified as women, one as a trans man. The participation rate, as often happens, decreased over time: 85 people were followed up at three months (48% of the initial sample) and 49 at one year (28%). Nevertheless, according to the researchers, the data collected paint a statistically solid and concerning picture: at 12 months after the assault, psychological distress remains dominant. 57% still present significant anxiety, 71% suffer from depression, and 68% show symptoms compatible with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

But the impact is not just mental: more than half of the people followed continue to live with persistent physical symptoms such as chronic pain, gastrointestinal disorders, insomnia, debilitating fatigue, and migraines. The intimate sphere is perhaps the one that suffers the most hidden but equally deep wound: among sexually active people, 63% report sexual dysfunction one year after the trauma, with alterations in desire, excitement, and orgasm. The study also confirms a dramatic fact: 61% of participants reported having experienced at least one other sexual assault in the past, highlighting the high risk of repeated violence. Furthermore, four out of ten people (44%) had a pre-existing medical or psychiatric condition, which contributed to increasing their overall vulnerability.

'These data demonstrate that sexual assault is a significant and lasting trauma, so far largely underestimated due to a lack of studies,' says Professor Jasmine Abdulcadir, head of the gynecological and obstetric emergency unit at the HUG and lead author of the research, quoted in a press release. 'It is necessary to act, as sexual violence proves to be an event with multiple, deep, and lasting consequences, which require long-term coordinated prevention and support, as well as information for those involved and their entourage.'

The aggressor is known The study also confirms what had already emerged from research conducted between 2018 and 2021: the majority of victims know their aggressor, who is a friend, acquaintance, or intimate partner, and the violence mainly occurs in private places, often at the victim's or aggressor's home. 81% of people consult an emergency room within 72 hours, and in nearly seven out of ten cases (69%), alcohol consumption is reported at the time of the events. The study does not just describe the problem but indicates the way to address it. Researchers call for strengthening specialized psychological support, standardizing care pathways across cantons, and training first responders. The introduction at the HUG of the electronic medico-legal file is already considered a step forward in standardizing data collection, a model that could be extended nationally. The survey also lays the groundwork for the creation of a Romandy registry of sexual assaults in emergency departments, a tool considered fundamental for both public health and justice. 'Sexual assaults present as an event with multiple, deep, and lasting consequences: we can no longer ignore them,' concludes Abdulcadir.

Operational details

• ## Practical Analysis

The consequences of sexual violence are long-lasting and multifaceted, profoundly affecting the physical, psychological, and sexual health of victims. After 12 months, 57% of victims still experience significant anxiety, 71% suffer from depression, and 68% show symptoms compatible with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Moreover, over half of the people followed continue to live with persistent physical symptoms such as chronic pain, gastrointestinal disorders, insomnia, debilitating fatigue, and migraines. The intimate sphere is perhaps the one that suffers the most hidden but equally deep wound: among sexually active individuals, 63% report sexual dysfunction one year after the trauma, with alterations in desire, excitement, and orgasm. The study also confirms a dramatic fact: 61% of participants reported having experienced at least one other sexual assault in the past, highlighting the high risk of repeated violence. Furthermore, four out of ten people (44%) had a pre-existing medical or psychiatric condition, which contributed to increasing their overall vulnerability.

'These data demonstrate that sexual assault is a significant and lasting trauma, so far largely underestimated due to a lack of studies,' states Professor Jasmine Abdulcadir, head of the gynecological and obstetric emergency unit at HUG and principal author of the research, quoted in a press release. 'It is necessary to act, as sexual violence proves to be an event with multiple, deep, and lasting consequences, requiring long-term coordinated prevention and support, as well as information for those involved and their entourage.'

The aggressor is known The study also confirms what had already emerged from research conducted between 2018 and 2021: the majority of victims know their aggressor, who is a friend, acquaintance, or intimate partner, and the violence mainly occurs in private places, often at the victim's or aggressor's home. 81% of people consult an emergency room within 72 hours, and in nearly seven out of ten cases (69%), alcohol consumption is reported at the time of the events. The study does not limit itself to describing the problem but indicates the way to address it. Researchers call for strengthening specialized psychological support, standardizing care pathways across cantons, and training first responders. The introduction at HUG of the electronic medico-legal dossier is already considered a step forward in standardizing data collection, a model that could be extended nationally. The survey also lays the groundwork for the creation of a Romandy register of sexual assaults in emergency departments, a tool considered fundamental for both public health and justice. 'Sexual assaults present as an event with multiple, deep, and lasting consequences: we can no longer ignore them,' concludes Abdulcadir.

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Key points

Action

To address sexual violence and its long-lasting consequences, a coordinated and long-term approach is necessary. Here are some concrete actions that can be taken:

1. Strengthen specialized psychological support: It is essential to provide adequate and personalized psychological support to victims. This includes individual therapy, support groups, and specialized counseling.

2. Standardize care pathways across cantons: It is necessary to standardize care pathways to ensure a uniform and effective response to victims of sexual violence. This can include training for first responders and collaboration between healthcare facilities.

3. Train first responders: It is essential that first responders are adequately trained to recognize and manage sexual violence. This includes training on symptoms, treatments, and support for victims.

4. Introduction of the electronic medico-legal dossier at HUG: The introduction of an electronic system for collecting medico-legal data can standardize the collection of information and facilitate collaboration between healthcare facilities.

5. Creation of a Romandy registry of sexual assaults in emergency departments: This tool can be fundamental for public health and justice, allowing for the monitoring and analysis of sexual violence and the identification of high-risk areas.

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FAQ

• Frequent Question 1: What are the long-term consequences of sexual violence?

Answer: After 12 months, 57% of victims still experience significant anxiety, 71% suffer from depression, and 68% show symptoms compatible with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

• Frequent Question 2: How can I help a victim of sexual violence?

Answer: It is important to offer psychological support, inform yourself about available resources, and collaborate with the competent authorities.

• Frequent Question 3: What measures are planned to address sexual violence?

Answer: The planned measures include strengthening psychological support, standardizing care pathways, training first responders, and introducing an electronic system for collecting medico-legal data.

Source: tvsvizzera.it