White Ring Assisted Nearly 2,000 Crime Victims

The victim support service White Ring supported 1,928 clients last year. Overall, the support has become more intensive. On average, more services were utilized within the framework of victim support than in the past, according to the White Ring's 2024 annual report. The number of people who took advantage of legal assistance increased by 5.5 percent in 2024. The average support duration was 5.4 months.

21 percent of all new clients were financially supported by the White Ring due to crime-related emergencies, it was reported on Wednesday. On average, those affected received 562 euros, which was more than ten percent higher than the previous year.

More Crimes Against Life and Limb

More than half of the crimes - namely 52.5 percent - recorded by the White Ring were against life and limb. The number of these cases increased by a significant 28.9 percent compared to 2023. 19 percent of those affected were victims of serious bodily harm. Ten percent of the cases involved homicide. For 99 clients whom the White Ring assisted, the workplace became the crime scene. Workplace violence is steadily increasing, noted the White Ring. Those affected report threats and insults up to physical violence. Employees in service professions, healthcare, and the transport sector are particularly affected.

Thanks to an amendment to the Code of Criminal Procedure (StPO), it is finally ensured that the data of victims of situational violence, with their consent, is transmitted by the police to a legal assistance facility, emphasized the managing director of the White Ring, Natascha Smertnig: "This enables active contact and active support offers for those affected, similar to the possibilities already available for victims of violence in personal relationships." This is "a first tentative step in the right direction."

(APA/Red)

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