Politicians take action

“Ban on contact in cases of violence at schools”

The incidents that came to light at the Aloisianum in Linz led to child protection councillor Michael Lindner taking action

(Bild: Dostal Harald)

The Provincial Councillor for Child Protection wants to change the fact that victims of bullying have to leave, as happened in the recent incidents at the Aloisianum in Linz - but certainly not only there. But it is not always so easy to remove problem pupils.

"Dealing with such incidents behind closed doors is not a sustainable approach. We have to ensure the safety of the victims and support them in coming to terms with what they have experienced. This can only work if the perpetrators are not given any further access to their victims!" - Following the assaults at schools that have come to light in the past few days, most recently at the Aloisianum in Linz, the Provincial Councillor for Child Protection Michael Lindner (SP) wants to see consequences. After all, one case of abuse and one case of bullying were only settled internally with marks for behavior and the victims left the school.

Change of school by perpetrator, not by victim
"That's the wrong approach. The perpetrators must bear the responsibility," says Linder, who advocates a ban on contact in cases of massive assaults and thus for the aggressors to change schools. But that's easier said than done. In grammar schools, schools outside the compulsory school district or when young people have completed their compulsory schooling, exclusion is legally possible. However, the compulsory school is obliged to admit a child who has not yet completed compulsory schooling. "The federal government must create opportunities in the School Education Act to ensure victim protection," says Michael Lindner.