Last year, 571 women and 577 children found shelter in the autonomous women’s shelters. But there are still those affected who don’t even know about the facility. Many people are informed of this by authorities such as the social security office, according to the Autonomous Austrian Association for Women’s Shelters (AÖF).
“Recognizing and naming violence is a process,” Maja Markanović-Riedl, director of the Autonomous Austrian Women’s Shelter (AÖF), said at a press conference on Wednesday. “It’s not violence, I meet someone and the next day they hit me. But it starts very slowly and gradually. And with that, the perception of women is starting to change.”
Violence against women often occurs in the sweet home, says Doris Schmidauer, who has been drawing attention to the issue for years. “(…) Unfortunately, for far too many women in Austria, their own home is not a place of warmth and security.” The enclosed space is a “place of constant danger” for those affected by violence. So far this year, 27 women have been murdered across Austria, as well as 39 attempted murders or serious violence against women.
Perpetrators have often experienced violence themselves
“Each of these perpetrators was once a little boy and each of these women, today’s victims, was once a little girl,” Schmidauer said. Many of them had already experienced violence in their own youth. Society is obliged not to leave these children behind and to turn to them. That is why it is important to invest in facilities such as women’s shelters and counseling centers for women and girls.
Those affected can stay in the women’s shelter indefinitely; the staff not only provides acute care, but also support in moving to a new life and aftercare. Advice centers also contact family members who are concerned and ask what they can do.
It is still “extremely difficult and shameful” to talk about violence, Markanović-Riedl said. “Who wants to say they are living in an abusive relationship?” However, public awareness has increased in recent years, says Elisabeth Cinatl, president of the Network of Austrian Counseling Centers for Women and Girls.
“Do not cut back on protection against violence,” the speakers at the press conference on Wednesday called on the new government. According to Statistics Austria, every third woman between the ages of 18 and 74 has experienced physical and/or sexual violence at least once in her life. 16.41 percent were affected at least once by physical and/or sexual violence in an intimate relationship. The share of psychological violence such as threats, insults and stalking is considerably higher (36.92 percent).
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
