After a series of crimes – Against femicide: “Screaming Day” and proposals for reform

During the protest on Minoritenplatz there were whistles and drum sounds, but also slogans that were chanted together, such as “Stop femicide, you don’t kill for love”. The reason for this is the recent series of femicides: last Friday, five women were murdered within 24 hours. At a press conference in Vienna, the Federal Association of Violence Protection Centers put forward proposals for legal reforms to prevent such crimes in the future.

Violence prevention advice cannot be imposed multiple times
Since July 2022, it has been possible for district courts to order mandatory violence prevention counseling during the process of issuing a preliminary injunction against perpetrators. “If the person causing the danger has already followed this advice after an entry and approach ban, then it is no longer possible for the court to impose it again,” said Karin Gfölly, vice-president of the federal association. of media representatives. “But we believe that this should not be a reason for exclusion,” says Gfölly.

No advice for stalking perpetrators
Referral to counseling under a court order is only possible in cases of domestic violence, but not in cases of stalking. “If a victim of stalking files a complaint and it involves a personal approach, the police have the option to issue an entry ban,” says Gfölly. This means that an assignment for violence prevention guidance can also take place, but not in the context of a provisional measure.

Criticism: The term for entry bans is often too short
Gfölly also advocated an innovation in the Security Police Act (SPG), which would oblige the police to inform the person threatening the area if an entry and approach ban is extended. Entry bans generally apply for fourteen days and can be extended by submitting a request to the court. The court is currently notifying the perpetrator by post. “In practice, it often happens that the deadline is too short. These 14 days have passed and the person causing the risk has not yet heard that an application has been submitted,” said the expert. There are dedicated judges and police officers. “But it should not depend on the efforts of individual people whether this communication takes place in a timely manner,” says Gfölly.

In 2023 alone, there were 51 attempted murders of women and 27 femicides, and this year there were seven murders and nine attempted murders, women’s ring president Klaudia Frieben recalled. In addition, Frieben called on politicians to take all measures “to immediately stop men’s violence against women and femicides.” “Any woman can become a victim of femicide, no matter how old she is, where she comes from or what job she does.”

SPÖ supports protest
The “Scream Day against Violence” was supported, among others, by the Green Women of Vienna and the SPÖ Parliamentary Club. In a broadcast on Friday, the Greens pointed out the need to catch up on victim protection-focused work with perpetrators. “A coordination office in the city of Vienna for victim protection-oriented perpetrator work could identify systemic gaps and support all institutions working with perpetrators and those affected,” said Viktoria Spielmann, women’s spokesperson for the Vienna Green Party. After all, many perpetrators are said to have been violent several times. The Greens therefore called on the city council consisting of the SPÖ and NEOS to make “increased efforts” in the field of protection against violence. It also urged that the announced violence clinics in Vienna be implemented as quickly as possible and that further efforts be made in the field of prevention.