This week is dedicated to mental health in Geneva. Many events, conferences and workshops are organized these days. Places are also opening their doors, such as the CTAS: the Therapeutic Center for trauma linked to sexual assault, in Carouge. For almost 25 years now, it has welcomed victims of this violence, of all ages.
Sexual assault and violence, acts that are often synonymous with taboo and yet are widespread. According to the police, in 2023 in Switzerland, more than 9,500 cases of acts against sexual integrity have been recorded, including 1,150 against children. In Geneva, 530 cases, including 74 in children.
In Carouge, the CTAS knows these figures well. The therapeutic center for trauma linked to sexual assault has been welcoming victims for almost 25 years. “At the beginning it was mostly children, now there are more adults. They are mainly women, according to the statistics, even if obviously there are men who do not necessarily come forward in relation to the violence they have suffered” explains the director of the center, Carmen Del Fresno.
One in 5 people affected
Because sexual assault and violence remain gender issues. At the CTAS, 288 people were supported by the psychotherapeutic team last year, including 255 women. Two thirds were adults over 25 years old.
If the movements #metoo et #metooinceste participated in the liberation of speech and the visibility of resources in this area, work remains to be done. “We see patients who sometimes have no words for their pain, to the point that they experience traumatic amnesia. (…) Sometimes there are triggers, and there the speech also evolves. We then need a context, a place and active listening in psychotherapy” explains Franziska Rausch, psychotherapist.
Prevention among young people
In this center, we offer individual interviews, but also discussion groups and therapeutic methods combining body and mind. In addition to care, awareness and prevention are two other axes of the CTAS mission.
In terms of prevention, minors are the target audience but it is sometimes difficult to reach them. “It requires funds, it has a cost. And then we have to update ourselves: in 2024, we should use social networks a little more, which are very popular with young people,” estimates Johanna Gottardi, psychotherapist for children and adolescents at the center.
A public utility association, the center receives support from the canton, municipalities and private organizations. Consultations are 90% covered by basic insurance via a prescription voucher from the attending physician.
Related News :