In Vienna – as reported – another educator from the municipal kindergarten in Penzing has been reported, where cases of abuse are said to have taken place. He is charged with “pedagogical misconduct”, as responsible city councilor Christoph Wiederkehr (NEOS) put it on Tuesday. The spokeswoman of the public prosecutor of Vienna, Nina Bussek, now states: The suspect is being investigated in the direction of deprivation of liberty! Meanwhile, Mayor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ) has confirmed the resignation of the MA-10 boss.
According to Wiederkehr, after working at the Penzinger Kindergarten, the man turned into a management position in another kindergarten in a different district. So far, however, no allegations have come in from there, it was emphasized Tuesday. After the allegations became known, the employee was also transferred to the office. The man is no longer allowed to take care of children. Under service law, contract termination is only provided in the event of a conviction, it said Tuesday.
Wiederkehr does not want to give more details about the case at the moment, the deputy mayor emphasized, referring to the ongoing investigation. “Educational misconduct” can be attempts to intimidate children. It is also being examined whether there is a connection with the four cases that have already become known, he says.
Children locked up as punishment?
The studies on this are still in their infancy, Bussek emphasizes. First of all, it must be indicated when and which possible criminal offenses were committed. According to information from the APA, the gist should be that children entrusted to him were locked up in a room as punishment.
Ludwig confirms resignation of MA-10 boss
Recurrence, however, also took a step in the administration: the head of MA 10 (kindergartens), Daniela Cochlar, is – as also reported – fired. There are different views on crisis management, the head of department justified the suspension. The Viennese kindergartens had been accused of providing information too late in relation to alleged abuse cases at a kindergarten in Penzing.
Returning, Mayor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ), who is to formally take this step, asked for Cochlar to be fired from management duties. The vacancy is now being filled on an interim basis. On the sidelines of a press conference, Ludwig confirmed that he would comply with the refund request.
The municipal council promised that educators and parents at both locations would be actively approached with information from today. Psychosocial support is also provided. “In Vienna, there is zero tolerance for misconduct,” Wiederkehr said.
“Package of measures absolutely necessary”
Sharp criticism and calls for further action came from the Viennese opposition parties FPÖ and ÖVP. “Municipal councilor Wiederkehr acted much too late,” said blue club president Maximilian Krauss angrily. The ÖVP wants further measures to follow: “In addition to the full clarification of the present case, along with the clarification of political responsibility, a package of measures is absolutely necessary so that such terrible cases cannot be repeated,” emphasized education spokesman Harald Zierfuss .
The Vienna Greens welcomed the resignation of the head of the Vienna Kindergarten, which was necessary “due to the communication breakdown of the city of Vienna”. However, this is certainly not the only step that is necessary. “An objective and transparent clarification must be made quickly, especially now that other possible incidents and misconduct have become known,” said alderman Julia Malle and MP Felix Stadler.
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.
