How should someone respond to hate messages? What legal steps can be taken? To help those affected find answers to such questions quickly and easily, Victim Assistance for beider Basel Cantons is launching a pilot project. Jeremias Schulthess, executive director of Fairmedia, explains the goals of the counseling center for digital violence and the services it offers.
You are in the process of setting up a counseling center for digital violence. How did that come about?
Digital violence is a social problem that is becoming increasingly prevalent. This trend has also become evident in our consultations on media ethics and media law. The idea that we could offer consultations on digital violence was therefore an obvious one.
What is your goal?
We want to provide support to those affected in a way that is as accessible as possible and offer them guidance on how to respond when they experience digital violence.
Why is there a need for a counseling center like this?
There are numerous counseling services in Switzerland, including some that address specific aspects of digital violence. However, there is no counseling center that addresses the issue of digital violence as a whole. We want to fill this gap.
What services would you like to offer?
We offer a range of concrete support measures. These include, for example, technical assistance with reporting hateful messages on communication platforms. We also provide legal guidance, such as: Should I file a complaint? Or what legal options do I have to take action against a social media post? And last but not least, our services are designed to help those affected regain emotional stability.
Who will you be advising?
Our services are intended for all adults in German-speaking Switzerland who are affected by digital violence. We pay particular attention to vulnerable groups, such as LGBTIQ+ individuals.
If someone experiences digital abuse in the form of offensive images, what is your role?
In such cases, we work with the affected person to clarify the facts as thoroughly as possible and discuss options for action. This may include, for example, reporting content or developing strategies for how the affected person can address the incident within their social circle and respond to questions. We also assess the situation from a legal perspective: Is there a violation of personal rights? Does the content constitute a criminal offense? Based on our guidance, the person can then decide what next steps they would like to take.
Victim Assistance for beider Basel Cantons is launching a pilot project with you. What is your role in this? What do you hope to achieve with it?
We want to gain experience in how collaboration with specialized agencies, such as victim assistance services, works. Digital violence rarely occurs in isolation. It is often accompanied by violence or threats of violence in the real world. This aspect is already very well covered by victim assistance agencies, and we intend to cooperate with existing specialized agencies where appropriate.
There is currently more discussion about digital violence than ever before. In your view, what are the biggest challenges?
That victims of digital violence are taken seriously and that offenses are consistently prosecuted. Right now, it’s important that we talk more about digital violence. I hope that this will also further strengthen victim protection.
Discover exciting insights and further articles in our blog.
The risks to which children and adolescents are exposed in the digital world are also a concern for policymakers. Thirty district administrators from the canton of Basel-Landschaft recently used their lunch break during a session to gain practical insight from experts into the dangers of artificial intelligence.
Starting in August 2025, victims of domestic violence and stalking will be able to have their smartphones checked for security vulnerabilities. In this interview, Rachid Dahjaoui of securial and Francis Fink of IT-Logix AG explain the findings from the pilot project.
How should someone respond to hate messages? What legal steps can be taken? To help those affected find answers to such questions quickly and easily, Victim Assistance for beider Basel is launching a pilot project. Jeremias Schulthess, CEO of Fairmedia, explains the goals of the counseling center for digital violence and the services it offers.
At night and at weekends, the number is operated by Dargebotene Hand beider Basel.
The Dargebotene Hand provides basic counseling and, if necessary, refers the victim to the day service for counseling.
Victim Support beider Basel is available 24/7
Tel: +41 61 205 09 10
