Stop of violence: New project strengthens women's rights in Eisenstadt and Mattersburg

Stop of violence: New project strengthens women's rights in Eisenstadt and Mattersburg

In Austria, domestic violence has recently accepted worrying proportions. In 2024, 26 women and girls were victims of violence, mostly by husbands or ex-partners. In order to counteract this alarming trend, the project "Stop - districts without a partner" was launched, which should encourage civil society to act and not to look away when there is signs of violence.

Christina Kopf, the project's overall coordinator, emphasizes how important it is that neighbors, relatives or acquaintances react in critical situations. "What to do if it gets loud in the neighboring apartment? How do you react correctly?" Are central questions that the project wants to answer. The initiative should serve to recognize domestic violence at an early stage and to find the right approach to help those affected.

expansion of the project

"We have to make sure that everyone is heard so quietly," says Thomas Steiner, the mayor of Eisenstadt (ÖVP). He sees the introduction of the project not only as a possibility of prevention, but also as an opportunity to raise awareness of the population. The mayor of Mattersburg, Claudia Schlager (SPÖ), also supports the project: "It is crucial to promote the civil courage among the population and to show that we are not allowed to look away."

The financial means for the project are provided by the federal, state and the respective municipalities and are secured for a period of two years. This support enables the project to be sustainable and further expand the measures against domestic violence.

In addition, the project emphasizes the need to sensitize people in the area to the topic. It is not only aimed at preventing violence, but also to encourage people, to actively help and to get involved in the sense of the community. More details on this important project can be found in a report on Burgenland.orf