Baume-Schneider calls for stronger protection against knockout drops

Swiss Interior Minister Elisabeth Baume-Schneider has called for better protection against sexual violence involving chemical substances, SRF reported Sunday. “We must improve prevention and information,” she told SonntagsBlick.

Baume-Schneider said the public had previously been insufficiently aware that chemical submission also occurs at home. Recently reported cases had highlighted the problem, she said. The minister expects more cases to come to light.

In the canton of Aargau, a former member of the cantonal parliament from Untersiggenthal is accused of drugging two women and a girl with knockout drops and sexually abusing them. He was arrested nearly three years ago, and his pretrial detention was extended several times as investigators uncovered further alleged offences and evidence. Prosecutors are seeking a life sentence.

In another case, a man is accused of drugging his long-term girlfriend, who was a minor at the time, with GBL or knockout drops. Prosecutors say they know of at least three additional alleged victims. The presumption of innocence applies in both cases.

Although the Narcotics Act prohibits giving someone substances to make them helpless and compliant, Baume-Schneider said there was still room for improvement. Parliamentary proposals aim to close gaps, including those concerning the availability of medicines.

“We need more prevention through education, and law enforcement authorities must pursue these offences consistently,” Baume-Schneider said. She urged victims not to hesitate to seek help and to go to hospital immediately.

Violence against women was a structural problem affecting society as a whole, she said. “Chemical submission and rape can happen anywhere, including with Swiss citizens as perpetrators.”

The Swiss government announced a national strategy against domestic and gender-based violence in February. The Interior Ministry and the Justice and Police Ministry plan to combine their existing measures against violence in the joint strategy, which they intend to launch next year, Baume-Schneider said.