Over 30,000 signatures demand tougher action against date rape drugs
A new campaign is attracting attention in Switzerland: more than 30,000 people have signed a petition calling on the Federal Council to take action. The goal is for Switzerland to participate in the international "Project Medusa." This is a coordinated operation that combats the illegal trade in so-called date rape drugs and other substances misused for sexual assaults.
Date rape drugs are particularly dangerous for victims because they render them incapacitated and often lead to memory gaps. The initiators of the campaign emphasize that Switzerland has not been sufficiently involved in international investigations to date. By participating in "Project Medusa," Swiss authorities could better cooperate with foreign police forces to identify perpetrators more quickly and stop the sale of these substances on the internet.
The demand comes at a time when the topic is being intensely discussed in Swiss society. Many victims report assaults in clubs or at private events. The signatories of the petition criticize the current lack of a unified strategy and consistent prosecution of perpetrators. They now hope that the high number of signatures will increase political pressure on the responsible authorities.
Whether Switzerland will officially join the international project is currently unclear. The Federal Office of Police (fedpol) and other security agencies must now examine what such cooperation could look like in concrete terms. However, the campaign leaders maintain that the protection of the population must be the top priority and that international cooperation is indispensable for security in Switzerland.