Austria Strengthens Its Stand Against Gender-Based Violence

25 November 2025

Austria Strengthens Its Stand Against Gender-Based Violence

'Siolence' exhibition setup in Parliament: lit metal frames, info boards and a video of an anonymised woman, placed in a marble hall.

Women Breaking Silence

Across Austria, public institutions and civil society are intensifying efforts to support women affected by violence and encourage them not to remain silent. This year's "16 Days Against Gender-Based Violence" again highlights how crucial accessible, low-threshold help is. Police and the Austrian retail sector have relaunched their nationwide initiative to print emergency numbers on millions of receipts — a reminder that assistance is only a call away.

A Sensitive Public Debate

Recent discussions around the case of "Anna," a 12-year-old whose alleged abuse and subsequent judicial outcome sparked broad debate, have added urgency to conversations about how Austria deals with violence. Media coverage fuelled strong reactions, with many citizens expressing difficulty understanding the decision. Legal experts repeatedly emphasised that judicial reasoning can be complex and must not be judged from a lay perspective. At the same time, observers underline that such public experiences should not discourage victims from reporting violence. Questions surrounding potential legal reforms fall within the responsibility of Parliament.

Parliament Puts Experiences in the Spotlight

Since today, the Parliament is hosting the exhibition "Siolence", open to the public until 31 December. The installation presents new image and audio testimonies from women who recount their experiences with violence. Based on the initiative by Soroptimist International Österreich, 'Siolence' seeks to counter the culture of silent acceptance and to make violence visible as a social reality rather than a private burden.

Retail Sector Joins Forces With Police

In parallel, the cooperation between the police and 30 Austrian retailers strengthens everyday awareness. Companies including C&A Mode, Deichmann, HERVIS, Kaufhaus STEFFL, Takko Fashion Austria, Tchibo, BIPA and dm drogerie markt print not only the police emergency line (133), but also the women's helpline (0800 222 555), the hotline of the Violence Protection Centres (0800 700 217) and the Victim Support Hotline of the Ministry of Justice (0800 112 112) on their receipts. The initiative aims to lower barriers to seeking help and to make support services more visible and accessible in everyday life — even if finding the right help may take more than one attempt.

Image: Multimedia installation of the 'Siolence' exhibition in Parliament, with illuminated frames, info panels and a screen showing an anonymised survivor. Historic marble hall surrounds the display. Photo: © Parlamentsdirektion/Michael Buchner, 25 Nov 2025.