Swiss Victim Support Act Reveals Unequal Aid After Kerzers and Crans-Montana Tragedies

Victims of accidents and disasters in Switzerland receive support through the Victim Support Act (OHG), but the type and speed of assistance can vary. In the recent Kerzers incident, victims faced delays in receiving help, unlike those affected by the Crans-Montana tragedy, who were granted exceptional federal payments. Each canton also provides its own aid, with some offering more detailed provisions than others.

Under Swiss law, anyone whose physical, psychological, or sexual integrity has been harmed by a crime is entitled to assistance. This applies even if no perpetrator is identified or convicted, as confirmed in the Kerzers case. Victims can seek help through the police or directly contact a counselling centre without filing a report.

Every canton must have at least one victim support centre, funded by local authorities. Services, including legal advice, psychological support, and financial aid, are provided free of charge. In Kerzers, the counselling centre stressed that victims would not pay for any support. Immediate assistance usually lasts 35 days, but extensions are possible in large-scale disasters. After Crans-Montana, emergency aid was extended to three months, and victims received CHF 50,000 each as a one-time federal solidarity payment—a measure not planned for Kerzers. Instead, Kerzers victims qualify for standard compensation under the Victim Assistance Act, including up to CHF 130,000 for damages, CHF 76,000 for moral satisfaction, and CHF 38,000 per relative. Additional canton-specific aid, such as legal help, psychological support, and accommodation, is also available. However, delays can occur. In Kerzers, it took several days for support services to reach victims, highlighting differences in response times across cases.

The Kerzers victims will receive standard assistance under Swiss law, without the extra federal payment given to Crans-Montana survivors. Support remains available regardless of criminal proceedings, with cantons offering varying levels of aid. Victims can access free counselling and financial help, though the speed of assistance may differ depending on the situation.