More than 13,000 men turned away: protection from violence remains urgent!

More than 13,000 men turned away: protection from violence remains urgent!

In Austria, the number of entry bans issued for men remains at a high level. By the beginning of December 2023, around 13,000 entry bans had been issued. This reports oe24. A further increase in entry bans is expected for the upcoming Christmas.

The statistics show that a total of 15,115 entry bans were issued in 2023, while the number fell to 14,583 in 2024. This is a slight decrease, but still the number of bans remains at a significant level. Most bans were imposed in Vienna, where 4,092 men were expelled, compared to just 482 in Burgenland. When analyzing this data, Petra Warisch, interim head of the Office for Violence Protection at the Federal Criminal Police Office, emphasizes the need to look at the numbers over longer periods of time in order to identify real trends ( ORF ).

Violence prevention measures

With the introduction of proximity bans in 2020, which also includes a ban on automatic weapons, a further step was taken to combat domestic violence. In recent years, mandatory violence prevention counseling for perpetrators has increased. Over 12,000 consultations were carried out in 2023. This helps reduce the number of femicides, which fell by 30% in 2023 compared to the previous year. By December 18, 2023, 16 women had already lost their lives at the hands of (ex-)partners, which shows that despite the decline, there is still a need for action ( BMI ).

The federal government has also launched new programs to strengthen the subjective feeling of security in public spaces. Girls aged 16 and over and women have the opportunity to explore fear spaces together with prevention officers in order to develop self-confidence and options for action. These measures are part of a broader strategy to combat violence in private and public spaces.

Successes and challenges in protection against violence

The 2024 Violence Protection Report highlights that there has been an overall decline in homicides against women. By August 1, 2024, 15 women had been killed, compared to 24 the previous year ( BMI ). This is a positive sign, but the challenge of preventing violence remains, particularly with regard to high-risk conflict situations.

In summary, it can be said that Austria has made progress in protecting against violence in recent years. The reduction in entry and approach bans as well as the deeper awareness and training of dangerous people show that the measures are having an effect. Nevertheless, it is essential to continue to improve the framework conditions and expand the support systems for those affected in order to sustainably increase safety for women in Austria.