Domestic violence

Many people experience different types of violence in their everyday lives. Acts of violence also occur in close family relationships or in partnerships. Violence has nothing to do with a person's social status. It can affect everyone: children, adolescents, women, elderly people and people with disabilities. It can also affect men.

Domestic violence can have dire consequences for all family members. Even if children often only witness violence, this can have a very negative impact on their future lives.

Many studies show that victims of violence don't just suffer immediate physical and psychological damage. The violence they have experienced causes their health to suffer in the long term. Violence during pregnancy endangers pregnant women and is a risk factor for the child's later health.

Violence against children and young people

Children have a right to special protection. Violence can manifest itself in rejection, threats, neglect and even physical assaults such as slapping or beating. Children and adolescents are also affected by sexual abuse. Children and adolescents often experience acts of violence in the family and suffer emotionally.

Violence frequently remains hidden for a long time

Sufferers often refrain from talking about their experiences out of shame. Some people don't even know that it's violence. Psychological violence also includes isolation, fear-mongering and degradation. Economic or financial violence is when, for example, someone is not permitted to have their own income. In this case, their partner will provide insufficient amounts of money.

Violence must not be tolerated in any form.

Affected by Violence? Get help:

If you are affected by domestic violence or could become violent yourself or suspect this in another person: please contact one of the counselling centres in your region. Most counselling services are online, anonymous and free of charge. If you contact a specialised assistance facility such as helplines or a violence protection centre, you do not automatically have to make a report:

In the event of acute violence, call the police: 133 or 112 (European emergency number)
Information on the procedure after the police have been called in
Emergency number for deaf and hearing impaired people: text or fax 0800 133 133; email: gehoerlosennotruf@polizei.gv.at
Nationwide emergency numbers (anonymous, free of charge and available 24 hours a day):
- Women's Helpline: 0800 222 555
  www.frauenhelpline.at
  The Women's Helpline Against Violence offers information, assistance, relief and support around the clock – including in acute situations.
- Men's Emergency Helpline: 0800 246 247
  www.maennernotruf.at
  The Men's Emergency Helpline offers men in crisis and violent situations a first point of contact 24 hours a day throughout Austria.
- Victim Emergency Helpline: 0800 112 112
  www.opfer-notruf.at
  The Victim Emergency Helpline serves as a central point of contact for people who have been directly or indirectly affected by a criminal offence. It is open to all issues related to this.
- Children's Emergency Helpline:
  www.kindernotruf.at
  The Children's Emergency Helpline is a 24-hour telephone counselling service that is available around the clock.
  Its task is to help with acute crises.

More information and contacts: