The government has increased the budget for violence protection and prevention to 24.3 million euros next year. Ministers presented on Wednesday exactly where the money should go. So-called “violence ambulances” are planned.
Victims of violence must be able to be examined there free of charge and existing traces must be secured. Justice Minister Alma Zadic (Greens) is currently working on the concept, which should be widely implemented. It is still unclear when the new centers will be operational. Other innovations include the extension of advice hours for men and the introduction of contact via chat, said Minister of Women’s Affairs Susanne Raab (ÖVP). For example, access for those affected must be as accessible as possible.
Mandatory guidance for men
About a year ago, mandatory violence prevention was introduced at various clubs, such as reboot. This must always be completed if the police issues an entry and approach ban. About 10,000 people have been affected so far this year, mostly men.
In Austria, “an average of two women per month are killed by men,” said Social Affairs Minister Johannes Rauch (Greens) at a press conference on Wednesday. The government would not accept this figure. In the case of violence against women, the perpetrators are usually (former) partners. In this context, Rauch referred to the anti-violence campaign “Mannsprechen’s an” (Mann speaks an), which aims, among other things, to encourage non-violent men to intervene in incidents and provide assistance. In addition, men who are at risk should be encouraged to talk about their problems.
Criticism from women’s organizations
Seven million euros has been budgeted for violence prevention next year, this year it was four million euros. For some women’s organizations, the existing and newly added measures do not go far enough. The fight against violence against women is “still not being conducted with the seriousness that women deserve,” said the president of the Austrian women’s association Klaudia Frieben in a broadcast. Your organization requests, among other things, 228 million euros annually for protection against violence and a permanent crisis management team.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
