Elder Financial Abuse in Switzerland: Results of a second national survey

• In Event: Economic Crime and Property Crime

Abstract

With the aging population, financial abuse against seniors emerges as an issue warranting attention from researchers and society alike. In Switzerland, a pioneering national prevalence study was conducted in 2018, revealing the previously underestimated magnitude of the phenomenon. A follow-up national study was undertaken in 2023 to track the evolution of this issue. It became evident that the pandemic and the surge in digitalization among this particular demographic have significantly reshaped the landscape of financial abuse. The presentation will delve into the findings of this subsequent study, focusing on prevalent forms of abuse, their frequency, and the repercussions for victims. Additionally, it will address methodological challenges, limitations, and complexities inherent in a multilingual country.

Authors

• Olivier Beaudet-Labrecque, Institut de lutte contre la criminalité économique, HEG-Arc, HES-SO // Haute école de Suisse occidentale

• Cristina Cretu-Adatte, Institut de lutte contre la criminalité économique, HEG-Arc, HES-SO // Haute école de Suisse occidentale