Vienna acts: Start new measures against sexual harassment now!

Vienna acts: Start new measures against sexual harassment now!

Wien, Österreich - On July 16, 2025, the initiative "I am your lifeline" was further expanded by the mayor and city councilor Kathrin Gaál and the Minister of Women Eva Maria Holzleitner. This important measure aims to prevent sexual harassment in Vienna and to ensure the safe movement of women in public space. Despite the fact that Vienna is considered one of the safest metropolises in the world, Gaál emphasized that violence against women begins where women feel insecure.

The initiative that has been active since 2018 has already shown success in combating sexual harassment. The partners of the initiative include important events and places such as the Danube Island Festival, the Volksgarten and the Nachtclub U4. From 2025, the belt Nightwalk will be part of this concept for the first time to offer even more security. In addition, new partners are included in the initiative.

new measures and support

The district chief Stefanie Lamp and district leader Peter Jagsch confirmed their support for the initiative and highlighted the need for security and respect. In the past, the Viennese school balls have already implemented their own measures to prevent harassment, which shows that the topic is taken seriously in various areas.

A central component of the initiative is the mandatory measures that organizations have to implement. This includes the training of the security and bar staff as well as the Awarness Office, the labeling with emergency anchor stickers and the hanging up of information material in visible areas. This information is also available on a new website for organizations and citizens. Further details can be found on the page Rettunganker.wien.gv.at

The way to raise awareness

The campaign "I am your lifeline" is based on three pillars: transfer of knowledge, awareness formation and structural measures. This campaign started sensitization with a short film and sticker to raise awareness during the Danube Island Festival. At that time, a trained security personnel were present who triumphed with the message: "Sexual harassment has no place here."

The Vienna Club Commission also leads a workshop series entitled "Celebrate? Safer." through where awareness officers are trained. These workshops are intended to help create a safe environment in the Vienna clubs and event locations. The support also goes beyond the Volksgarten nightclub, which was already followed by the initiative in 2019, followed by U4 in 2022.

In a survey from 2023, 2,200 participants stated that women as well as trans, fluid, queer and non-binary people feel twice to three times more insecure than CIS men. This result once again reveals the urgency of the measures that result from the initiative "I am your lifeline".

The comprehensive efforts and preventive approach should increase security in public space and give women in Vienna the feeling that they are also safe in nightlife scenarios. The initiative encourages everyone involved to take responsibility in order to create a safe environment for everyone. Further information can be found in the reports on and wien.orf.at