Online groups coerce Swiss children into self-harm and suicide

International criminal networks are coercing children and teenagers into self-harm, sexual abuse and suicide, with Swiss authorities confirming 20 cases for the first time, SRF reports.

The victims are pressured to cut the names of their tormentors into their legs and film themselves doing it. The recordings are treated as trophies that raise the perpetrators’ status within their groups. In some cases, victims have been pushed to suicide, which is sometimes broadcast live online.

Authorities around the world increasingly describe the phenomenon as “nihilistic extremism”. The groups do not pursue an ideology, and violence appears to be their only objective. International networks have formed since 2020 under names including “The Com”, “764” and “1414”.

“The Com” stands for community and is a general term for several groups. Some promote physical violence, while others coerce victims into sexual abuse. “764” is regarded as a subgroup, with its name reportedly derived from the postcode of its founder’s home in the United States. According to the Federal Office of Police, or Fedpol, “1414” also appears in Switzerland and is likely a code influenced by far-right ideas.

Twenty cases confirmed in Switzerland

Following an investigation by SRF and the Tages-Anzeiger, Fedpol confirmed that Swiss investigations had uncovered 20 cases, adding that this was probably only the beginning.

Fedpol spokeswoman Berina Repesa said about two-thirds of those affected were victims, mostly girls aged between 12 and 18. The remaining third were perpetrators, who were somewhat older, although many were still minors. All of Switzerland’s language regions are affected, Fedpol said.

Because many victims and perpetrators have links abroad, Fedpol acts as a coordination and analysis office. The individual criminal proceedings are conducted by the cantons.

Swiss authorities are investigating allegations including coercion, defamation, aiding suicide, serious bodily harm, the distribution of illegal pornographic material and sexual acts with children. Fedpol has not disclosed which cantons are involved.

Several cantons confirmed proceedings to SRF. Basel-Landschaft is handling cases linked to the 764 network, police said. In Zurich, the senior youth prosecutor’s office confirmed that it knew of victims who had been forced to cut user or group names into their skin, create pornographic images of themselves or consider suicide.

The victims were also put under pressure through “swatting”, in which someone uses an emergency call to provoke a police operation at the victim’s home. The Zurich authorities did not give the exact number of victims but said most were underage girls. Investigators are working with authorities in Switzerland and abroad. The cases were reported after people close to the victims alerted law enforcement, and the victims are receiving psychological support.

Perpetrators build trust before issuing demands

“The perpetrators act insidiously and usually operate on mainstream platforms,” Repesa said. They pretend to form friendships and, in some cases, romantic relationships. During this phase, they collect personal information such as the names of friends, the victim’s school and details about their parents. They also ask for photographs.

Some perpetrators create “lore books”, detailed files on their victims. These are sometimes shared within the networks and later used to force victims into increasingly brutal acts.

The perpetrators subsequently demand nude photographs, videos of sexual acts and recordings of victims cutting the perpetrators’ usernames into their skin. In cases abroad, victims have reportedly been ordered to torture or kill their pets, stab passers-by or film their own suicides. Terrorists are portrayed as “saints” within the networks.

Where to seek help

Fedpol says parents who suspect that a child is at risk can contact the police at any time through the emergency number. Support is also available from the Pro Juventute parents’ counselling service, the 147 helpline, the Swiss Child Protection hotline, the clickandstop reporting and counselling service for digital sexual violence against children and teenagers, and Victim Support Switzerland.