Violence Protection Summit at the Ministry of the Interior: Austria on a "solid, good foundation"

Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) emphasized that Austria can build on a "solid, good foundation" in terms of violence protection. Recently, a new action plan against violence towards women was adopted. Justice Minister Anna Sporrer (SPÖ) spoke on the topic of femicide and stressed that men should not have control over women or end their lives. The "16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence" lasts until December 10.

Violence Protection: Holzleitner Sees "Task for the Entire Federal Government"

It is not solely a women's political task to protect women, but a task for the entire federal government, emphasized Eva-Maria Holzleitner (SPÖ). "Violence against women has no specific nationality, no religion, no social origin, but a very clear pattern: male entitlement, where we repeatedly see that there are still men who think they can keep women down and push them back through the use of violence."

The number of restraining and approach bans has increased significantly, according to Karner. "Because less is being covered up and more attention is being paid." Last year, there were 14,500. The number of security police case conferences has also been significantly increased and these are to be further developed. There are now significantly more prevention officers in the police, whose number, according to Karner, has more than doubled from around 500 to 1,300. An important development is also that the police force is becoming more female overall. "In the area of violence protection, police officers do excellent work, but experience simply shows that women affected by violence are more likely to turn to a policewoman," said the Interior Minister. This way, dark fields can be opened. "Look, don't look away."

Prevention Begins in Early Childhood

Prevention must therefore be approached broadly and should begin in early childhood, explained Marina Sorgo, deputy chairwoman of the Federal Association of Violence Protection Centers. "Don't just pay attention when it escalates." Education Minister Christoph Wiederkehr (NEOS) also wants to "start early in educational work." Children should learn and know their own rights early on and be able to seek help if necessary.

Health Minister Korinna Schumann (SPÖ) also emphasized, "Prevention is the key." "Men must understand that violence against women is simply not tolerated in our society," said the minister. "And we must also work with the boys, simply to nip violence in the bud and to guarantee a life between men and women on equal footing." The impact and success of measures would not occur overnight. "This means we need confidence, perseverance, and commitment to further advance violence protection in Austria," said Sorgo.

"Only Yes Means Yes" Continues to Be Discussed

Announced but not yet implemented is the further development of sexual criminal law, said Sporrer. The principle of consent ("Only Yes Means Yes") will continue to be discussed, she emphasized at the summit. "We want to enshrine this principle in law." Criticism of the new action plan, which she called a "sham package," came from the Green Party's women's spokesperson, Meri Disoski. "A few days ago, a young woman was murdered in Graz. Every third woman experiences violence. Annually, 15,000 restraining and no-contact orders are issued, which is about 41 per day. At the same time, a third of young men consider violence against partners acceptable," summarized Disoski.

"Politics must ensure that women find protection and secure structures: fully funded protection and counseling services, the enshrinement of 'Only Yes Means Yes' in sexual criminal law, and measures that strengthen women's financial independence," said Disoski. "Hardly any of this is found in the action plan that the government has presented again today. There is no additional money for protection or prevention. Instead, there are reviews, evaluations, and well-sounding words. But words do not protect a single woman." Lectures will be held and the program discussed at the violence protection summit until the afternoon.

The FPÖ also stated regarding the action plan that concrete, effective measures remain open. An immediate asylum stop and consistent deportations of convicted offenders would be one of the "most efficient initial measures" for an action plan against violence against women, said FPÖ women's spokesperson Rosa Ecker. "Furthermore, a violence protection strategy is needed, which unfortunately has not progressed beyond the announcement stage by the government, as well as secure funding along with the expansion of violence protection clinics," said the politician. "Violence against women must never be tolerated, no matter who it comes from. Protecting them is one of the state's most central tasks, and it must finally fulfill the system's signal."

(APA/Red)

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