Psychiatric challenges: Focus on domestic violence in Vienna

Psychiatric challenges: Focus on domestic violence in Vienna

in Vienna the number of perpetrators who have psychiatric problems in domestic violence increases. According to Nina Lepuschitz, the head of the victim protection center, an evaluation after more than a year of trial operation of this special facility shows that there is an "increase in the problem". She explained that many of those affected are not aware of the severity of their acts of violence. A total of 650 high-risk cases have been documented since the beginning of the program.

The fact that 98 percent of people identified as high -risk risk are particularly noticeable. These men represent a significant challenge, since they often "sometimes do not process legal consequences cognitively". This means that you cannot fully understand the legal consequences of your actions, which increases your danger. However, the State Police Directorate does not provide specific figures on these aspects. However, the trend is clearly recognizable for those responsible in the victim protection center, as Lepuschitz emphasized on the occasion of the currently running UN campaign "Orange The Word-16 days against violence against women".

The importance of the work of the victim protection center

The educational work and support for victims of domestic violence has become significantly more effective in Vienna by creating the victim protection center. The facility has established itself as a central point of contact, which women (and in some cases also men) have contacted to receive help and protection. In recent years, society has developed more awareness of the extent of domestic violence, and support from specialists is crucial to help victims in such a stressful situation.

The strengthening of victim protection is not only a reaction to the increasing problem of domestic violence, but also a way to take preventive measures. The experts work closely with the police and other social institutions to create a network that benefits both the victims and the perpetrators. In this way, changes in behavior to perpetrators should also be initiated, which can contribute to a reduction in violence in the long term.

The increase in resources and the continuous training of employees in the victim protection center are therefore of great importance in order to meet the special conditions and challenges that arise from working with mentally ill perpetrators. The current trend shows that more support and sensitization are necessary in society to get a grip on both victims and perpetrators and to improve the violence situation in Vienna.

The comprehensive challenge that lies in front of the city of Vienna is not only a matter of security, but also social psychological care. The initiatives to combat domestic violence are an important step in promoting deeper social reflection on violence and their causes. The prevention and support of people must therefore have a top priority in the coming years.

More information on this topic and current developments can be found in an article of the www.bvz.at .