Raped Woman Turned Away: Criticism of University Hospital Linz

The Deputy Governor responsible for health, Christine Haberlander (ÖVP), called the procedure "absolutely unacceptable." All employees of the KUK will now be "trained and sensitized on this important issue." The hospital regrets the dismissal.

Woman Referred to Admission Hospital

A homeless woman confided in street workers from the homeless association B 37 at the beginning of April and reported a brutal sexual assault a few hours earlier, the "Kronen Zeitung" reported on Thursday. Together with a social worker, the victim went to the hospital to receive treatment and secure evidence. After a phone consultation with the KUK, the woman was admitted and sent to the gynecological outpatient clinic. However, she was then sent away because the hospital did not have admissions that day and was referred to the admission hospital. Subsequently, the psychologically unstable victim refused any further help and also refused to file a report, the newspaper quoted the homeless association.

Haberlander Criticizes

"It is completely incomprehensible that a woman who has experienced something so terrible is turned away. It must be a matter of course that every victim of rape is treated in Upper Austrian hospitals," emphasized Haberlander on Thursday. She also made this clear to the university hospital. She has also instructed the Health Department of the State of Upper Austria to convene a round table with representatives of all Upper Austrian hospitals and the police to "identify any potential for optimization and, if necessary, refine processes to ensure the required sensitive and competent handling of rape victims is guaranteed across the board," her statement continued.

Reaction from Linz Kepler University Hospital

"We regret this incident and, of course, are doing everything we can to ensure that the rejection of a rape victim does not happen again in the future," apologized KUK Managing Director Franz Harnoncourt. In coordination with the experts from the in-house victim support team, all employees are now being trained in sensitive handling. All victims of violence "should feel safe, taken seriously, and well cared for with us," said Harnoncourt.

The SPÖ sees the incident as confirming the urgency of their demand for the establishment of a long-overdue violence clinic in Upper Austria. The Linz Greens want "clear regulations to ensure that help is provided in our hospitals in any case, especially in traumatizing cases of violence." The Linz FPÖ also demands "organizational security measures to prevent such incidents in the future."

(APA/Red)

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