Groupe Mutuel supports the fight against child abuse
12 December 2024 | Comment(s) |
Adrien Jacquérioz
Once again this year, Groupe Mutuel Foundation is taking part in the charity event Cœur à Cœur run jointly by Swiss Radio and Television (RTS) and the “Chaîne du Bonheur”. The 2024 edition, which runs from 14 to 20 December, aims to raise awareness of child abuse in Switzerland and around the world.
Child abuse: a growing threat
Every year, millions of children around the world are victims of abuse. In Switzerland, the problem is far from insignificant. According to the Optimus study, between 30,000 and 50,000 children are taken into care each year by child protection services for cases of physical and sexual abuse or neglect. Unfortunately, many other cases go unreported.
In our country, physical and psychological child abuse increased by 11% in 2023 according to Swiss paediatric clinics. 45% of children are under the age of 6, and 18% are infants.
Raising awareness and taking action
As part of the Cœur à Cœur event, RTS's famous 51 bus will be visiting 7 towns in French-speaking Switzerland to meet people who are making a difference to the cause of child abuse. The aim? To raise awareness and build public support against child abuse, give a voice to the victims of abuse and collect donations for the cause.
The event will be broadcast daily from 14 to 20 December on RTS La Première and on television. The Cœur à Cœur bus will be stopping off at Christmas markets in 7 towns in French-speaking Switzerland (Carouge, Morat, La-Chaux-de-Fonds, Delémont, Bienne, Monthey and Yverdon) for explanations, testimonials, visits and challenges of all kinds. For each daily challenge completed, Groupe Mutuel, as main partner of the event, will donate CHF 3,000 to the Chaîne du Bonheur.
By making a donation, you will be helping the Chaîne du Bonheur to support associations and institutions working to combat child abuse, with the aim that every child is able to develop to the full and grow up in the best possible conditions.
Groupe Mutuel Foundation against child abuse
In addition to being physically present with a stand at the Yverdon Christmas market on Friday 20 December 2024, Groupe Mutuel is undertaking other actions for the cause of child abuse:
- A special gingerbread sale for employees, with proceeds going to the Chaîne du Bonheur, has been organised in the various centres.
- Insured customers will also have the opportunity to make donations to their heart's content at the various Groupe Mutuel branches.
- Finally, our CEO Thomas Boyer and our Head of Distribution Cédric Scheiben will be answering the Chaîne du Bonheur switchboard on Thursday 19 December.
This year, Groupe Mutuel's support also extends to the national level. The partnership is now being extended to German-speaking Switzerland as part of the solidarity week broadcast on Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen (SRF). This event also aims to raise awareness and support for the cause of child abuse.
About Groupe Mutuel Foundation
Created in 2018, Groupe Mutuel Foundation develops its activities on a non-profit basis. It supports well-being, health promotion and prevention through various associations and research projects throughout Switzerland.
For the 2023 Cœur à Cœur operation, more than CHF 4 million were donated to Chaîne du Bonheur and then redistributed to associations and institutions involved in combating child abuse. Groupe Mutuel donated CHF 25,000 to these projects.
Let's all unite against child abuse!
