Switzerland Opens Second Shelter for Girls Fleeing Violence in 2026

Switzerland is set to open its second shelter for girls and young women fleeing violence. Located in Biel, canton of Bern, the facility will begin operations in June. The move comes as demand for such spaces grows, with existing shelters struggling to meet the need.

The new shelter in Biel-Bienne will welcome its first residents in June 2026. It follows years of pressure to expand protection for vulnerable girls, after a 2024 study revealed that Zurich's only shelter—with just seven beds—had to turn away 100 girls due to lack of space.

A federal-commissioned report estimated that Switzerland urgently needs around 40 additional shelter places, with a broader goal of 100 nationwide. Other cantons, including Basel-Stadt, have launched pilot projects, such as exit programmes and increased funding for women's shelters. Bern's initiative, approved as a three-year trial, will be run by Solidarité femmes Biel und Region.

The opening aligns with Switzerland's obligations under the 2018 Istanbul Convention, which requires protection for women and minors against all forms of violence. Rising violence against girls in recent years has made specialised safe spaces, like shelters near me, even more critical.

The Biel-Bienne shelter will provide both refuge and tailored support for affected girls. As the second facility of its kind in Switzerland, it addresses a pressing gap in protection services. The pilot project's success could influence future expansions in other cantons.