Child Welfare Endangerments Increasing in Vienna

The increase is primarily attributed to population growth and increased societal awareness of the problem, explained MA-11 spokesperson Ingrid Pöschmann to the APA: "This is our legal mandate – we follow up on every report." During the pandemic years, the number of reports had declined, but in the years thereafter, it increased again.

With a share of nearly 54 percent, neglect was the most common reason for a risk assessment, followed by psychological violence (24 percent) and physical violence (20 percent).

Measures Range from Counseling to Accommodation

If an immediate danger is identified during the assessment, the affected child can be temporarily accommodated in a crisis center or with crisis foster parents. In 2024, this affected 918 children in crisis centers and 138 children and adolescents in crisis foster families.

However, the goal remains to strengthen families and ensure the well-being of the child within the original system. For this purpose, MA 11 offers low-threshold assistance such as parenting counseling. In 2024, 3,154 new counseling cases were initiated; by the end of the year, a total of 4,552 cases were under care – a stable figure compared to the previous year.

If outpatient measures are not effective, inpatient accommodation may become necessary. In 2024, 615 minors were newly placed in socio-educational facilities or foster care arrangements – including three cases of placement with relatives.

Debate on Closed Accommodation for Intensive Offenders

In light of repeated delinquency by a few juveniles under the age of 14, there is a discussion in Vienna about closed facilities. The MA 11 is participating in the working group "Child and Youth Crime," which describes such measures as "the last resort." According to Pöschmann, in Vienna, there are "a handful of intensive offenders" who do not accept common socio-educational offers. However, the introduction of closed accommodation would require a change at the federal level.

Care for Unaccompanied Minor Refugees

The MA 11 is also legally mandated to represent unaccompanied minor refugees in asylum procedures. At the end of 2024, this affected 420 children and adolescents. In the same year, 190 procedures were completed, of which 138 ended with a positive asylum decision.

(APA/Red)

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