A specialized counseling service in Switzerland, Beforemore, is experiencing a significant increase in requests for help from individuals with a sexual preference for children and adolescents. The center, which offers anonymous and free support, recorded more consultations in the first half of 2025 than in all of 2024, highlighting a growing demand for preventative services in the Canton of Bern and across the country.
Key Takeaways
- Beforemore, a specialist center for pedophilia and child abuse prevention, is seeing a sharp rise in demand.
- The center reported more consultations in the first six months of 2025 than in the entire previous year.
- Over 30,000 people with pedophilic inclinations live in Switzerland. Many seek help to prevent harm to children.
- Plans are underway to expand Beforemore's services nationwide.
Demand for Support Rises in Bern
Beforemore, based in Bern, provides low-threshold, free, and anonymous counseling. It serves individuals with pedophilic inclinations, their relatives, and other professional organizations. The latest figures show a clear trend: more people are actively seeking help to address their desires before they lead to criminal acts.
The increase in requests underscores a critical need for preventative measures. Many individuals want to avoid harming children, even while struggling with their sexual preferences. This proactive approach is central to Beforemore's mission.
Key Statistics
- 30,000+ people in Switzerland are estimated to have pedophilic inclinations.
- Beforemore saw an increase in contacts from 57 in 2023 to nearly 200 in 2024.
- In the first half of 2025, consultations surpassed the total for all of 2024.
- The Beforemore website receives thousands of visits annually.
Seeking Help Before Harm Occurs
Reto M.*, a 39-year-old man from the Canton of Bern, shared his experience. He stated,
"I am totally against violence against children. And even though I have this sexual inclination, I want to do everything not to harm children."Reto M. sought help from Beforemore after a sexual encounter with a 13-year-old teenager a year ago. He admits he could not resist his urges and deeply regrets his actions, which led to a police report by the minor's mother.
Reto M. faces a conditional prison sentence or a fine. His case highlights the importance of early intervention. Counseling services aim to support individuals like Reto M. before they commit offenses, protecting potential victims.
Understanding Pedophilia and Child Abuse
Pedophilia is a sexual preference for prepubescent children. It is distinct from child sexual abuse, which is a criminal act. Counseling services like Beforemore focus on prevention, helping individuals manage their inclinations to prevent them from acting on them.
Child sexual abuse can cause severe, lifelong damage to victims. This includes psychological problems, feelings of worthlessness, and attachment issues. Scientific studies consistently link abuse to long-term mental health challenges.
Impact on Families and Loved Ones
The effects of child abuse extend beyond the direct victims. Family members often carry a heavy burden. Marion B.* from Bern discovered in 2007 that her husband had abused children within their own social circle.
Marion B. described her shock and feelings of complicity in the victims' suffering. The revelation led to their separation. She noted the severe impact on her own children, who face stigmatization and must live with the reality of having a father who committed such crimes.
Barbara Beaussacq, a counselor at Beforemore, regularly advises individuals like Marion B.
"We encourage relatives or others in the person's environment to overcome their helplessness and take action, rather than staying silent,"she explained.
For individuals like Reto M., Beaussacq listens and works with them to develop strategies. The goal is to prevent potential assaults. Most people seek help because they do not want to commit a crime.
The Importance of Open Communication
Beaussacq emphasized the critical first step: talking about it. She stated,
"Shame, guilt, and fear of stigmatization or prosecution often deter people from opening up, even if they have not committed an offense."
Silence, however, isolates individuals and increases the risk of them committing crimes. If needed, Beaussacq refers clients to appropriate therapy centers. These services are vital for protecting children.
Expanding Services Across Switzerland
Beforemore's services remain accessible, free, and anonymous. The primary goal is to prevent child abuse by offering help before any harm occurs. The Bern-based center is working to become a leading German-speaking Swiss contact point.
Dominik Galliker, Beforemore's CEO, reported a consistent increase in people seeking advice each year. Contacts rose significantly, from 57 in 2023 to nearly 200 in 2024. The organization's website, which offers valuable information and contacts for further support, receives thousands of visits annually.
The focus on perpetrator prevention is still in its early stages. The Swiss federal government's latest research report on social security highlighted that counseling services significantly contribute to victim protection.
Galliker is confident that
"Many cases of child abuse could be prevented. We must make it easy for people who have sexual fantasies involving children to take responsibility and seek help. Fortunately, political and cantonal support for perpetrator prevention is growing."
Increased Awareness and Responsibility
After the police report, Reto M. found support through psychotherapy and counseling sessions at Beforemore. He credits these interventions with sharpening his awareness of his responsibility.
"Nevertheless, this inclination for boys in their early teens exists, and I am working to control it,"he said. Thanks to this process, he no longer views himself as a danger.
The rising demand for Beforemore's services indicates a critical shift. More individuals are recognizing the need for help. This proactive engagement is key to preventing child abuse and fostering a safer society.
*Names have been changed by the editorial team.