Women in the Neunkirchen district: violent spiral and way out of dependency

Women in the Neunkirchen district: violent spiral and way out of dependency

In the district of Neunkirchen, a worrying scenario takes place. Many women get in a cycle of dependency and violence from which they cannot escape because the necessary requirements are missing. This knowledge runs like a thread through the reporting on the women's shelter, which has been an important point of contact for victims of violence since 1993.

Barbara Prettner, the head of the women's shelter, emphasizes that despite all the progress in society, the need for shelters is still high. "The number of residents is the same on average," she explains. A woman, whether with or without a child, needs about half a year on average to be able to live in safety.

obstacles on the way to freedom

The framework conditions under which many women live are often not sustainable. Prettner explains that many women do not even dare to take the step to leave their partner because they feel trapped in precarious employment relationships or in view of the high rents and inadequate childcare opportunities. This dependency means that many women have to endure insults and violence.

A particularly pressing problem is evident in the current space of the women's shelters. For the first time, women had to be rejected by several houses this year. "We could accept women, but not women with five children in a small room," the lack of space is named as a fundamental problem.

legal hurdles and low convictions

Prettner also refers to the worrying figures for the legal consequences for perpetrators. Last year, only two out of 17 accused people were convicted. "We would like to have more convictions due to dangerous threats and mild bodily harm and not be set," said Prettner about the insufficient legal measures to combat domestic violence.

The figures from 2023 are alarming: a total of 17 cases were displayed in the Neunkirchen district, including eight assault cases and rape. This corresponds to a wider problem that resulted in 153 ads and 19 convictions nationwide. The small number of convictions questions the effectiveness of the legal system when it comes to combating domestic violence.

For those women who are looking for support, numerous resources are available. The Frauenhaus Neunkirchen offers a contact option on 02635/689710 or by email to Frauenhaus.nk@utanet.at. Further information is available on the website of the women's shelter: www.frauenhaus-neunkirchen.at.