Why equality prevents violence

When people seek to dominate others, the risk of violence is increased. Equality protects those affected – and can prevent violence arising in the first place.
A man and a woman are facing each other by the lake at sunset.

In a nutshell:

  • Power imbalances increase the risk of violence
  • Women, LGBTIQ people, people with disabilities and those with a history of migration or flight are at greater risk
  • Equality provides protection as it reduces dependencies, eliminates discriminatory norms and promotes respectful interactions

How does violence start?

Gender-based, sexual and domestic violence rarely starts with physical abuse. It involves speech and behaviour and is part of many people’s daily life – in the public and private sphere.

How violence manifests itself in everyday life:

  • Sexist remarks
  • Leering
  • Demeaning comments about appearance, abilities, intelligence
  • Constantly calling to check up on a partner

These types of behaviour may seem harmless, but they are expressions of a lack of respect, discriminatory attitudes and unequal power relations [1-7, 9, 11]. And they can possibly pave the way for more serious aggression.

Anyone can experience violence – but some are more at risk than others

Violence occurs at all levels of society. People violate boundaries in couples, within the family, at the workplace, in schools, in care homes, online and in public spaces, but incidents often go unreported and remain hidden.

Even though essentially anyone can experience violence, certain groups of people face a much higher risk:

  • Almost one in four women has experienced domestic violence at some time in their life [8]
  • One in four LGBTIQ people reported having suffered physical or sexual violence at least once in the past five years [9]
  • Women with disabilities, women with a history of migration or flight and women of colour are at increased risk for sexual and domestic violence [5, 10-12]
  • People requiring care and assistance are particularly vulnerable to violence [13]

Power imbalances: a risk and breeding ground for violence

Responsibility for violence always lies with the perpetrator, as they decide how to act. But there may be various contributory factors: stress, excessive pressures, personal experience of violence, alcohol and drug use. Also important in couples is how often arguments occur and how conflicts are handled. A crucial factor, however, is the uneven balance of power.

Power imbalances affect situations involving violence in two different ways:

  • Firstly: they increase the risk of violence and make it more difficult for victims to defend themselves. Whenever people are dependent on others – emotionally, financially, as coparents or because of legal uncertainties – they are particularly vulnerable, making it more difficult for them to defend or protect themselves against violence. Often, they are afraid of adverse consequences: losing their job, losing their residence rights, no longer seeing their children or suffering even more serious violence. They also fear that their voice will count for less and they won’t be believed.
  • Secondly, violence isn’t recognised as such or taken seriously. Gender-based, sexual and domestic violence flourishes in a society where it’s ignored, played down or tolerated [1-5] – particularly those forms of violence which are less visible than bruises. For example, typical reactions may be: “But that’s normal in a relationship”, “You’re exaggerating again”, “That’s just what men are like”. Sometimes victims don’t immediately realise that what they’re experiencing is violence and isn’t acceptable.

Equality makes a difference

When people have the same rights, opportunities and possibilities for action, there are fewer power imbalances, discriminatory norms and dependencies. This helps to prevent violence and puts those affected in a stronger position.

So, equality lived on a daily basis can help to combat violence. This includes treating one another with respect, as equals. But it also involves recognising violence of any kind and not looking away when someone is humiliated or insulted, harassed or threatened [10]. For those affected, being taken seriously and given support is also vital.

A pictogram of a hand with a heart.

What can you do?

For people who experience violence, for those who witness it, and for those who have themselves violated boundaries and engaged in violence, numerous support and counselling services are available.

Where to get advice

References

[1] Jewkes, R., Flood, M., & Lang, J. (2015). From work with men and boys to changes of social norms and reduction of inequities in gender relations: A conceptual shift in prevention of Violence Against Women and girls. The Lancet, 385(9977), 1580-1589. Link

[2] FOGE: Information Sheet A2: Causes, Risk and Protective Factors of Violence in Intimate Relationships. Link

[3] WHO – World Health Organization. (2009). Promoting gender equality to prevent violence against women. Briefing on violence prevention: the evidence. Link

[4] Council of Europe (2019). What causes gender-based violence? In: Gender Matters: A Manual on Addressing Gender-Based Violence Affecting Young People (Second edition, fully revised and updated), S. 21-31. Link

[5] Lavoyer, A. (2024). Every Woman. About a Society that Trivializes and Normalizes Sexualized Violence. Munich: Yes Publishing. Link

[6] WHO – World Health Organization. (2025, 25 March). Violence against women (Fact sheet). Link

[7] EIGE – European Institute for Gender Equality (Hrsg.). (2025). Gender Equality Index 2024: Tackling violence against women, tackling gender inequalities. Luxembourg: Publications Office. Link

[8] Baier, D., Biberstein, L., & Markwalder, N. (2023). Experiences of Violence in Partnerships: Extent and Development in Switzerland. Results from Representative Surveys. Bern: Federal Office for Gender Equality FOGE. Link

[9] Jans, C., Schäfer, S., Keiser, L., & Bohn, D. (2024). Background and Prevalence of Queerphobia in Switzerland: A Study on Experiences of Queerphobic Violence and Discrimination as well as the Perception of LGBTIQ+ People in the Population. Bern: gfs.Bern. Link

[10] FRA – European Union Agency for fundamental Rights, EIGE – European Institute for Gender Equality, & Eurostat. (2024). EU gender-based violence survey: Key results. Experiences of women in the 27 EU Member States. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union. Link

[11] García-Cuéllar, M. M., Pastor-Moreno, G., Ruiz-Pérez, I., & Henares-Montiel, J. (2023). The prevalence of intimate partner violence against women with disabilities: A systematic review of the literature. Disability and Rehabilitation, 45(1), 1-8. Link

[12] FOGE: Information Sheet B5: Domestic Violence in the Context of Migration. Link

[13] Jäggi, J., Höglinger, D., & Jud, A. (2025). Psychische Gesundheit im sozialen Kontext. In: Schweizerisches Gesundheitsobservatorium Obsan (Hrsg.), Nationaler Gesundheitsbericht 2025. Link

Hintergründe verstehen –
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Background to the campaign

Domestic, sexual and gender-based violence has many causes and many faces. It is widespread in Switzerland, as it is elsewhere. Anyone can be affected, but women face a higher risk. To tackle this, the campaign focuses on two common sources of violence: power imbalances and discriminatory norms.

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How much control is too much?

When does control in a relationship become problematic, and what can be done if that happens.

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Defining our terms?

What forms of violence is this campaign addressing? And what exactly is meant by genderbased, sexual and domestic violence? Brief explanations are given here.

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A woman and a man are facing each other in an autumn atmosphere.