High inhibition threshold – violence against women: ‘Number of consultations is increasing’

A measurable increase in psychological and physical violence against women has been observed not only throughout Austria, but also in the Kitzbühel district. “In addition, there are existential burdens due to inflation. Many people no longer know what to do, which in turn manifests itself in violence,” Eva Pawlata, director of the Tyrol Protection Center, raised the alarm on Friday.

The problems are piling up in the Kitzbühel district. The advice center for girls and women is increasingly reaching its limits. “Consultancy efforts are constantly increasing. In addition, there is a striking undersupply in the field of psychosocial care in the Kitzbühel district,” says Honorary President Renate Magerle. In 2021, 2845 consultations were registered. The transition and emergency homes are more than full. In 2021 there were 2299 overnight stays and 775 overnight stays. children.

Communities can help
Since the beginning of 2009, Magerle has been fighting for government subsidies. “If every municipality in the district supported the girls’ and women’s advice center with one euro per inhabitant and per year, they would be financially more secure.” Then one would also be recognized by the federal ministry as a women’s service center, which would result in additional funding.

72 orders outside eight months
Since 2007, the Tyrol Violence Protection Center has had a regional office in the Kitzbühel district. “We are seeing a huge increase. Over the past year, not only from customers, but especially from entry bans due to violence,” explains director Pawlata. To date, 72 entry and approach bans have been issued against threats in the Kitzbühel district, up from 47 in the comparison period 2021.

Funded Violence Protection Center
In general, a huge increase in violence in the family and among female victims is recorded throughout Tyrol. Guidance and support in the Center for Violence Protection is increasing – linearly as in the girls’ and women’s counseling center. “Unlike the girls and women’s counseling center, we are well funded by the public sector and can do our job,” emphasizes Pawlata.

experiences of the police
If the police have to intervene, there has been a lot of violence beforehand, district commander Martin Reisenzein explains: “The inhibition threshold for calling the police is still very high.” The violence mainly occurs in the family or circle of friends.

Addictive substances play an increasingly important role
Addictive substances also play a bigger role. By 2021, more than half of all crimes were related to drugs, especially alcohol. The aim is to install a trained prevention officer at every police station in the Kitzbühel district to help the victims as best as possible.

Victim in hospital five times a year
Verena Elvira Hauser of the St. Johann District Hospital’s Victim Protection Group explains the need for the facility. A study shows that 85 percent of all victims of violence visit the hospital on average five times a year. “The injuries are not always serious, so you have to look closely and tell the victims that there is easy help, that we are there,” Hauser said. Raising the awareness of all BKH employees is also a major task. It starts at the reception.

youth suffers
The rural structure in the Kitzbühel district in no way protects against domestic violence and psychological problems. The Kitzbühel District Children’s and Youth Care Department registered a huge increase in reports of danger. “By the end of August of this year, we had already processed more than 100 hazard reports. In 2018, there were about 45 throughout the year,” explains Marianne Hörl of BH Kitzbühel.

Domestic violence and mental illness are on the rise. In the district, 160 children and young people are currently being cared for in the families on an outpatient basis. Currently 46 children and young people do not live with their parents. “There is also a large gap in the care of children and young people with mental illness,” reports Hörl.