After a series of crimes

Against femicides: “day of screaming” and reform proposals

Protests against violence against women were held at Minoritenplatz.

(Bild: APA/HELMUT FOHRINGER)

Several dozen people responded to the Austrian Women's Ring's call for a "day of screaming" - for several minutes they loudly voiced their displeasure in Vienna's city center. Meanwhile, the Federal Association of Violence Protection Centers presented reform proposals: For example, it should be possible for those at risk to be ordered to attend violence prevention counseling several times.

The protest on Minoritenplatz was accompanied by whistling and drumming noises as well as joint chants of slogans such as "Stop femicide, you don't kill for love". The occasion is the latest series of femicides - last Friday, five women were killed within 24 hours. At a press conference in Vienna, the Federal Association of Violence Prevention Centers presented legal reform proposals to prevent such crimes in the future. 

Violence prevention counseling cannot be imposed more than once
Since July 2022, it has been possible for district courts to order mandatory violence prevention counseling in proceedings to issue a restraining order against perpetrators. "However, if the endangering person has already received this counseling once after being banned from entering and approaching, it is no longer possible for the court to impose it again," Karin Gfölly, Deputy Chairwoman of the Federal Association, told media representatives. "However, we are of the opinion that this should not be a reason for exclusion," said Gfölly.

There was a protest against violence against women at Minoritenplatz.

(Bild: APA/HELMUT FOHRINGER)

No counseling for stalking perpetrators
Assignment to counseling as part of a court injunction is only possible in cases of domestic violence, but not in cases of stalking. "However, if a stalking victim makes a complaint and this also involves a personal approach, then the police have the option of issuing a restraining order based on this," says Gfölly. In this way, the victim can also be referred to violence prevention counseling, but not as part of a restraining order.

(Bild: APA/HELMUT FOHRINGER)

Criticism: time limit often too short for entry bans
Gfölly also pleaded for an amendment to the Security Police Act (SPG), which would require the police to notify the person posing a threat if an entry and approach ban is extended. Prohibitions to enter are generally valid for 14 days and can be extended by applying to the district court. Currently, the district court notifies the person at risk by post. "In practice, it often happens that the deadline is too short. These 14 days have expired and the endangering person has not yet been informed that an application has been filed," said the expert. It is true that there are committed judges and police officers. "However, it should not depend on the commitment of individuals whether this notification happens in time," said Gfölly.

There were 51 attempted murders of women and 27 femicides in 2023 alone, and seven murders and nine attempted murders this year, recalled Klaudia Frieben, Chairwoman of the Frauenring. Frieben also appealed to politicians to take all measures "to stop male violence against women and femicides immediately". Any woman could "become a victim of femicide, no matter how old she is, where she comes from or what she does for a living".

SPÖ supports protest
The "Walk Against Violence Day" was supported by the Green Women Vienna and the SPÖ parliamentary group, among others. In a press release on Friday, the Greens referred to the need to catch up on victim protection-oriented work with perpetrators. "A coordination office of the City of Vienna for victim protection-oriented offender work could identify systemic gaps and support all institutions that work with offenders and victims", said Viktoria Spielmann, women's spokesperson for the Vienna Green Party. After all, many offenders are violent more than once, she said. The Greens therefore demanded "increased efforts" from the city government consisting of the SPÖ and NEOS in the area of protection against violence. They also urged the swiftest possible implementation of the announced violence outpatient clinics in Vienna as well as further efforts in the area of prevention.