Vienna removed controversial murals - respect for victims of sexual violence

Vienna removed controversial murals - respect for victims of sexual violence

In the Mariahilf district in Vienna, a controversial murals that have been on a fire wall since 1997 will soon be removed. The decision to eliminate the impressive painting was a reaction to increasing public discussions and was unanimously made in the Vienna municipal council today. Here all parties brought in a short -term application that is now being implemented.

The application expressly refers to respect for victims of sexual violence. The background is the sentence of the artist, who designed the mural, due to sexual crimes that he committed in 2003. The deeds took place during photo shoots and led to considerable moral and social concerns about the murals.

political agreement and scope for action

The large -format surreal painting had increasingly criticized in recent years. In addition to politics, the feminist Initiative Ni Una Menos Austria also spoke out for the removal of the work of art. A competition for artistic redesign was originally considered, but it would have taken too much time. Ultimately, one decided to break off the competition and instead to make a neutral redesign or removal of the painting at short notice. In the united application of all factions, including SPÖ, NEOS, ÖVP, Greens and FPÖ, reference is made to "urgent need for action".

Silvia Janoch, family spokeswoman for the Vienna People's Party, was pleased with the decision that has now finally been made. In a message that SPÖ and NEOS had previously blocked. "Women who were abused under the pretext of art have made their experiences public. It became clear that a mural of a convicted sex offender has no place in Vienna," she said.

The decision to remove the murals illustrates the sensitivity and respect with which the City of Vienna deals with topics related to sexual violence and the rights of the victims. For more information about the developments in this area and the reactions to the decision are detailed reports on www.vienna.at available.