No majority for Greens motion: Protection against violence remains unresolved!

No majority for Greens motion: Protection against violence remains unresolved!

The Greens' urgent motion in the National Council to improve protection against violence did not find a majority. Despite the support of individual members of the SPÖ and NEOS for some demands, the Greens were unable to push through the initiative. However, the government emphasizes that it is working to improve protection against violence and is investing more resources than ever before. The challenge of violence against women continues to be highlighted as a central issue.

The Greens called, among other things, for the principle “Only yes means yes” to be enshrined in sexual criminal law, nationwide regulations for protection zones in front of health facilities where abortions are carried out, and a legal right to childcare from the first birthday. A new regulation of parental leave and mandatory income reports for companies with 35 or more employees were also on the agenda in order to promote the economic independence of women. Meri Disoski and Alma Zadić from the Greens reiterated these demands and pointed to the urgent need for change.

Political reactions and positions

The Women's Minister Eva-Maria Holzleitner, as an opposition MP, had previously demanded 250 million euros for protection against violence. Disoski criticized the fact that the National Action Plan against Violence against Women had to do without an additional budget, while violence protection centers were sounding the alarm about cuts by the AMS and the Ministry of Social Affairs. Ralph Schallmeiner from the Green Party made it clear that men have a responsibility to question and change role models.

SPÖ MP Schatz highlighted that the government has already made progress for women, including budget increases. Although the FPÖ sees violence against women as an immigration problem and calls for more consistent action against sex offenders, SPÖ MPs pointed out that violence against women is an existing social problem. NEOS MPs also supported the call to increase women's independence, but expressed concerns about income reporting for small businesses.

The principle “Only yes means yes”

The principle “Only yes means yes” aims to shift responsibility to those involved. Affected women no longer have to justify why they didn't say “no”. The bill makes it clear that sex is only consensual if everyone involved either expressly or recognizably consents; anything else is considered rape. The recognition of shock reactions, such as freezing in violent situations, is also recognized as a protective mechanism and is no longer viewed as consent. This represents an important step towards more meaningful sexual self-determination and calls for a social rethink, where everything that happens is based on mutual consent just-ja-means-yes.org is executed.

Globally, one in three women is affected by physical and/or sexual violence at least once during their life, reports this BMZ. Even LGBTIQ+ people statistically experience some form of gender-based violence in their lives, with the risk being significantly increased for people with multiple discrimination characteristics. There is still a need to strengthen anti-violence mechanisms to effectively address these societal challenges. In this context, the international community is setting up the 2030 Agenda to overcome all forms of gender-based violence.