Opening of the first transition apartment in Graz: A shelter for women

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In Graz wurde die erste von drei neuen Übergangswohnungen für von Gewalt betroffene Frauen und Kinder eingeweiht. Ein sicherer Ort für einen Neuanfang – ein wichtiger Schritt im Gewaltschutz.
In Graz, the first of three new transitional apartments for women and children affected by violence was inaugurated. A safe place for a new beginning - an important step in violence. (Symbolbild/DNAT)

In Graz, a new transition apartment with the aim of offering women and children who are affected by violence was recently opened. This first of a total of three planned apartments was inaugurated on November 21, 2024 by Social Councilor Doris Kampus, Mayor Elke Kahr and the managing director of the women's shelter, Michaela Gosch. The formal language of the opening underlines the urgency and the value of this facility for the persons concerned.

The initiative to create these apartments is based on a joint effort by the federal and state governments. The Federal Ministry for Women provides a total of 1.68 million euros over a period of four years to build 13 transitional apartments in Styria. These apartments offer the affected women and their children a protected space from which they can redesign their lives without violence.

a secure basis for a restart

The 67 square meter large, general -renovated apartment, which is available as the first transition apartment, is intended to serve as a retreat. The stay there is intended for women after a stay in the women's shelter to give them the opportunity to prepare in a protected framework for a fresh start. The premises were set up by the creative artisans Io Tondolo and Itshe Petz, which have proven that even with limited means, an inviting and functional environment can be created.

"Today is a good day for violence in Styria," emphasized Social Councilor Doris Kampus at the opening. The new apartments complement the existing network of support offers for women and their children affected by violence. "These apartments are an important step to offer those affected a safe home and to accompany them on their way to an independent life," she added.

strategic measures to improve violence protection

The opening of the transitional apartments is part of a comprehensive plan to improve violence protection, which was presented in November 2023. In this context, various measures were initiated to support the data subject.

  • A 24-hour aid telephone that can be reached on 0800 20 44 22 offers confidential and anonymous support for women in relationship problems and domestic violence.
  • violating violations are available to offer medical and legal support. A new violence of violence will be set up in the LKH Leoben, while the existing outpatient clinic at the Medical University of Graz was opened in May 2023.
  • In the field of education, the topic of violence for legal interns and judges is increasingly treated in order to promote understanding and sensitivity to the needs of affected women.
  • The police have specially trained civil servants who specialize in the prevention of violence. Around 160 police officers are currently trained in Styrian police inspections.
  • A scientific study is carried out to examine the private environment and its influence on leaving violence.

The establishment of these transitional apartments and the accompanying measures are crucial steps to strengthen violence protection in Styria. According to a report from www.5min.at the support of women and children who have become victims of violence to improve sustainably.