Green politician criticizes Linz hospitals after alleged rape: Woman was turned away

The background to the case is the specialized care provided after sexualized violence. In Austria, there are so-called violence outpatient clinics (Gewaltambulanzen) that offer forensic examinations and medical help around the clock. In Upper Austria, the contact point is located, among other places, at the Kepler University Hospital in Linz, which is operated by the KUK, the university hospital of the Upper Austrian health holding company.

Background: Violence outpatient clinics in Upper Austria

In the specific case, according to the Greens, the woman was referred to two Linz hospitals in an acute situation without an immediate examination and care taking place. The criticism is directed primarily at the procedure during initial intake and the question of whether the routes to the responsible violence outpatient clinic are clearly regulated.

Schobesberger announced that she would continue to pursue the issue at the political level. She pointed out that it is crucial for those affected by sexualized violence to receive medical and forensic care within a few hours, as traces and findings are central to later investigations and to the health of those affected.

Demands of the Greens

The city of Linz and the state of Upper Austria are thus once again the focus of a debate about the handling of victims of sexualized violence. In the past, there have already been discussions about the accessibility of the violence outpatient clinics and about training of staff in hospitals. The current allegations intensify the demand for clear responsibilities and seamless care.

The politician also emphasized that the case must not be an isolated fate. She called for a broad investigation and an official statement from the affected hospitals as well as from the KUK. It must be made transparent why the woman was turned away and what organizational or personnel causes led to this.

Knockout drops and evidence preservation

The question of the use of so-called knockout drops, which were mentioned in the discussion, also plays a role in comparable cases. If such a substance is suspected, a quick blood and urine sample is necessary to secure the diagnosis and tailor further medical treatment accordingly. A delay can make therapy and later evidence preservation considerably more difficult.

The Greens announced that they would use parliamentary means to review the care situation. Schobesberger stated that she would work to ensure that the funding and staffing of the violence outpatient clinics in Upper Austria are permanently secured, so that no person is turned away from a hospital anymore.

In conclusion, the politician formulated a clear expectation of those responsible in Linz: Those affected by sexualized violence must be able to rely on every hospital functioning as a first point of contact and paving the way to specialized care. In the view of the Greens, any further case of a rejected victim is a political failure that must not remain without consequences.