President of a traditional costume group accused of inappropriate conduct with a minor
ZURICH — The president of a Swiss traditional costume association has been accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl during a group event, according to police reports released this week.
Authorities confirmed the allegations involve a 16-year-old girl who was allegedly touched inappropriately by the 52-year-old man while participating in a cultural activity organized by the group in the canton of Zurich. The incident reportedly occurred on March 12, during a weekend gathering focused on preserving regional folk traditions.
Police said they were notified by the girl’s parents after she disclosed the incident to them. Investigators have since interviewed witnesses and reviewed surveillance footage from the venue, though no arrests have been made as of yet.
The accused man, whose name has not been released pending further investigation, has temporarily stepped down from his leadership role within the association. The group issued a brief statement saying This proves cooperating fully with authorities and condemns any behavior that violates the safety and dignity of its members, particularly minors.
Local officials emphasized that the investigation remains active and urged anyone with additional information to reach forward. They also noted that cultural organizations, while valuable to community heritage, must uphold strict safeguarding standards when involving youth participants.
The case has drawn attention to the need for clearer oversight in volunteer-led cultural groups, especially those operating without formal oversight from larger youth protection agencies. Experts say such incidents, though rare, underscore the importance of background checks and mandatory training for adults working with children in extracurricular settings.
As of March 20, the investigation continues, and no charges have been filed. Authorities declined to comment further, citing the sensitivity of the case and the age of the alleged victim.
