Abuse Vienna: Violence Protection Center documents case

Support services in Austria

In addition to the Vienna Violence Protection Center, further points of contact are available throughout Austria. The Women's Helpline can be reached online at frauenhelpline.at and by phone at 0800-222-555. The Association of Autonomous Austrian Women's Shelters (AÖF) can be found at aoef.at.

The Women's Shelter Emergency Line can be reached at 057722, and the Austrian Violence Protection Centers at 0800/700-217. In acute emergencies, the police emergency number 133 is the appropriate point of contact.

Role of the City of Vienna

The Vienna Violence Protection Center emphasizes that publishing the case is also intended to draw attention to existing gaps in care provision. The City of Vienna supports the work of the violence protection centers financially and with personnel.

For individuals with suicidal thoughts and their relatives, the Suicide Prevention Portal of the Ministry of Health provides further information and support services. These services are available to anyone in need of psychological support, regardless of specific criminal offenses.

The town of Gerasdorf is also mentioned in connection with the case. The exact circumstances of the alleged acts are the subject of ongoing investigations and are being reviewed by the responsible authorities.

Counseling before filing a report

The support services are also explicitly aimed at individuals who are reluctant to go directly to the police. Counseling centers such as the Vienna Violence Protection Center offer an initial anonymous point of contact and accompany those affected in deciding on further steps.

Experts point out that in cases of long-term abuse, the dynamic is frequently characterized by feelings of shame and guilt on the part of those affected. Counseling work therefore begins before any possible report is filed and focuses on stabilization and information.

The City of Vienna and the Vienna Violence Protection Center are calling for indications of sexualized violence to be taken seriously and for those affected not to be left alone. Relatives and trusted persons may also contact the organizations mentioned.

The case is part of a series of publicly reported experiences that have accompanied a debate in Austria for years regarding the expansion of protection structures for women. The support services also point out that initial steps toward seeking help are often possible through anonymous channels.