Domestic Violence in Seniors: New Training for Swiss Pharmacists
- Switzerland is seeing a concerning trend of domestic violence affecting its elderly population, with November 25, 2025 marking the launch of a new initiative to address the issue.
- A new digital training program, available in French and German, has been rolled out in the canton of Valais to improve detection rates.
- The training utilizes a gamified approach to raise awareness among pharmacy personnel about the unique challenges faced by seniors in situations of domestic violence.
New Training Program Aims to Help Swiss Pharmacists Detect Domestic Violence in Senior Citizens
Switzerland is seeing a concerning trend of domestic violence affecting its elderly population, with marking the launch of a new initiative to address the issue. According to data, 16% of domestic homicides in Switzerland involve women over the age of 70, demonstrating that violence knows no age limit.
A new digital training program, available in French and German, has been rolled out in the canton of Valais to improve detection rates. The program is specifically designed for pharmacy staff, recognizing their crucial role as a readily accessible point of contact for seniors who may be experiencing abuse.
The training utilizes a gamified approach to raise awareness among pharmacy personnel about the unique challenges faced by seniors in situations of domestic violence. It provides practical knowledge and tools to identify potential cases within a pharmacy setting and connect individuals with appropriate support networks.
The program builds upon research conducted by Haute Ecole de la Santé La Source, the national center of expertise Vieillesse sans violence, and the senior-lab, through their applied research project, “Prevention of Violence in Older Couples.”
A key objective of the training is to foster a trusting relationship with victims, empowering them to speak out and seek help. Officials emphasize that violence within older couples often goes undetected, partly due to generational factors. Katy Solioz, head of the Valais Office for Equality and Family, explained that this generational aspect contributes to the underreporting of such cases.
Pharmacies are considered essential locations for identifying victims of domestic violence and directing them to the appropriate care structures. The program is a follow-up to an initial module developed by the canton of Vaud in , which was subsequently adapted and disseminated by numerous other cantons.
The Conférence romande des bureaux de l’égalité (egalite.ch) launched the new training module coinciding with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The organization highlights that pharmacists and pharmacy assistants, due to their regular contact with elderly individuals, are uniquely positioned to recognize signs of abuse, offer initial support, and guide them towards specialized assistance.
Victims of domestic violence are often reluctant to directly seek specialized help, instead turning to trusted individuals. This makes pharmacies a vital local resource for intervention and support.
The training is accredited with 25 FPH postgraduate points. Registration is free for the first 100 participants, starting on . After that, the course fee will be 90 Swiss francs per person. For the initial three months, enrollment will be limited to two people per pharmacy to ensure equitable access to the free offering.
Each participant will receive individualized access to the e-gaming platform. Participants have three months to complete the training and receive their credits and continued access to the platform’s content. Access will be closed for those who do not finish within the allotted timeframe.
The various forms of violence experienced in senior couples – psychological, physical, economic, and sexual – can often occur in combination, according to experts.