Universal Periodic Review

Adopt necessary measures to ensure that victims of violence and sexual abuse have full access to adequate shelters and counselling centres

Proponent:

Remarks to progress by Liga (last modified Apr 1, 2025):

Civil society has pointed out that there are still too few women’s shelters and that funding is inadequate, which causes difficulties for victims of violence. Social services often do not take into account gender and multiple discrimination. In 2022, 28 women were killed as a result of gender-based violence and the lack of places in women’s shelters persisted. In September, women’s rights organisations continued to criticise the limited access to safe abortions. There is still a need for action to improve the situation (see Amnesty International Annual Report 2022: https://www.amnesty.at/themen/menschenrechte-in-oesterreich/menschenrechtslage-in-oesterreich-2022-amnesty-jahresbericht/). Increased investment and better coordination between the relevant authorities and non-governmental organisations is needed to ensure that everyone has access to protection and support. An important civil society initiative in this area is the Neighbourhoods Without Partner Violence initiative („StoP Partner Violence“) with the participation of the umbrella organisation Autonomous Austrian Women’s Shelters (for the initiative, see https://stop-partnergewalt.at/).  As part of the Government Plan 2025-2029, the federal government is pursuing this goal through close cooperation with all stakeholders (see Government Plan 2ß025-2029: https://www.bundeskanzleramt.gv.at/bundeskanzleramt/die-bundesregierung/regierungsdokumente.html). There are numerous counselling services for women affected by violence in Austria. These include special counselling centres, hotlines and shelters that offer round-the-clock support. Many of these services offer comprehensive counselling on legal, psychological and social issues. Nevertheless, it is important that these services are further expanded and publicised to ensure that all women affected receive the support they need. The central facilities include the women’s helpline, the Austria-wide violence protection centres and the Autonomous Austrian Women’s Shelters (AÖF). The network of these facilities ensures that women in need have access to help around the clock. In addition, specific services are provided for special target groups, such as migrant women, female refugees and asylum seekers. These services are designed to overcome cultural and language barriers and offer customised support to the women concerned.  As part of the Government Plan 2025-2029, the federal government is pursuing this goal through close cooperation with all stakeholders (see Government Plan 2ß025-2029: https://www.bundeskanzleramt.gv.at/bundeskanzleramt/die-bundesregierung/regierungsdokumente.html).