Vienna, Austria — April 8, 2026
The Hermann-Gmeiner-Park in Vienna’s Inner City district is being renamed Börsepark following abuse allegations against the late founder of SOS Children’s Villages, Hermann Gmeiner, the city announced.
Unanimous Decision by City Council
The Cultural and Science Committee of Vienna’s City Council unanimously approved the renaming, as confirmed by Councilor Veronica Kaup-Hasler. The new name, Börsepark, was chosen to reflect the park’s location and provide clarity within Vienna’s urban structure.
Kaup-Hasler emphasized the city’s swift response to the allegations, stating, *"Wir haben auf die neuen Erkenntnisse und die damit verbundenen schwerwiegenden Vorwürfe rasch reagiert und zugleich eine Lösung gefunden, die breit getragen wird."* (*"We have responded quickly to the new findings and the serious allegations associated with them and at the same time found a solution that is widely supported."*)
The proposal had already gained broad approval at the district level before being finalized at the city level without delay.
Allegations and Historical Reckoning
SOS Children’s Villages first publicly addressed abuse allegations against Gmeiner in late October 2025. According to reports, around 200 cases of abuse were filed with Austria’s Victim Protection Commission between 2013 and 2023, eight of which implicated Gmeiner. Some victims received compensation of up to 25,000 euros and therapy sessions from the organization.