Austria had to mourn another femicide on Monday. A mother of three (28) was found stabbed in a Viennese apartment. On Tuesday, the Institute for Conflict Research published a study into the murder of women. Sad fact: few victims have sought help before. “Every girl should know that she can get support,” emphasizes Justice Minister Alma Zadic. There are enough measures, but no campaigns. She advocates the establishment of violent outpatient clinics.
A sad fact for Viktoria Eberhardt and Brigitte Temel of the Institute for Conflict Research: “The system of protection against violence is not well known in Austria.” Only a few women in the country use protection against violence. The numbers are also worrying for Women’s Affairs Minister Susanne Raab. “It’s never a woman’s fault that she’s a victim,” Raab emphasises. To help women out of the spiral of violence, Zadic is now calling for the introduction of a violence ambulance.
Safe evidence in case of a complaint
The ambulances are intended to increase the conviction rate and to secure evidence in case of a complaint, Zadic explains. Because not every woman wants to report it immediately. Marina Sorgo of the umbrella organization of violence protection centers in Austria also confirms this: “For many victims, the police are a red flag because of their own experiences in their country of origin. She often feels shame and guilt.”
Support also for children
According to Sorgo, you have to give women a signal that it can happen that you end up in relationships that are not good for you. In addition, one should not forget the children of those affected, who have had to endure a lot. There should also be more support offers for Sorgo so that offers can also be accepted.
Interior Minister Gerhard Karner also wants further expansion of Security Police case conferences.
Divorce often leads to femicide
The research of the Institute for Protection against Violence focuses on cases between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2020. The country has had to mourn a total of 793 victims during this period, of which 42 percent have died. Victims and perpetrators often had a relationship (44 percent). The main reason for the femicide was divorce from the partner (30 percent).
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.
