Painting compensation for victims of abuse: process in the case of the dog box starts!

Painting compensation for victims of abuse: process in the case of the dog box starts!

In the case of a 12-year-old boy from Lower Austria, who was severely abused by his mother and an accomplice, a lawsuit against pain and suffering against the state of Lower Austria is pending. The boy was blocked in a dog box, which led to severe malnutrition and frostbite. The two perpetrators, the mother and her girlfriend, have already been sentenced to long prison terms. The mother received 20 years for attempted murder and other offenses, while the accomplice received 14 years in prison for continued use of violence. These judgments are legally binding, as kosmo reported.

The civil process initially submitted, which began on Friday, demands 150,000 euros in pain and suffering and additional liability for future damage of 30,000 euros. The total dispute value amounts to 180,000 euros. The case, which was submitted to the Krems Regional Court in November 2022, is based on the Lower Austrian Child and Youth Welfare Act, which sets the country's responsibility in such cases. The state government has, however, rejected the allegations and emphasized that all legal obligations were fulfilled, such as OE24 reported.

Missing reactions to information

A central concern of the lawsuit is the allegations against two employees of the district administration Waidhofen an der Thaya. Despite several evidence of the risk of the boy, including two hazard reports, these had not taken any immediate measures. Unanimous home visits in October and November 2022 showed abnormalities, but they remained without further reaction. The boy's lawyers criticize that there was no personal conversation with the child, which in the matter in the matter.

In addition, the country's solidarity was rejected with the mother. Investigations against the social workers for abuse of office were discontinued because the social worker regarded the mother as a concerned parent. This raises questions about the quality and effectiveness of child protection measures in Austria.

rights of children in Austria

The existing laws on child protection in Austria, anchored in the "Federal Constitutional Act on the Rights of Children" and in the federal child and youth welfare law, guarantee protection against violence and exploitation. Minor victims in need of protection are particularly entitled to adequate compensation and rehabilitation. However, the current situation around the case of the abused boy illustrates the challenges with which the authorities are confronted, especially with regard to timely recognition and reaction to dangers for children, as on the website of the Federal Ministry for Justice is explained.

The process continues on June 17, and while an agreement was aimed at by the judge, it remains to be seen how the legal disputes will develop and what teachings can be drawn from this terrifying case.