Violence in relationships

Criticism of new emergency number for violence

Symbolic image(Bild: APA/dpa/Jan-Philipp Strobel)

Since 2 April, a new helpline has been bundling all Styrian contact points on the subject of violence in relationships under the number 0800 20 44 22. But there is also criticism: is the project an underfunded quick fix or a sustainable offer of help?

Murders of women shook Styria last year; almost half of all femicides in Austria in 2023 were committed on Styrian soil. The ÖVP-SPÖ provincial government responded with a package of measures. This included a new help hotline for relationship problems and violence, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Since April 2, the phone has been ringing in the Styrian women's shelters that operate it. There were already several calls on the first day, which were answered by trained specialist staff. "It is intended to be a low-threshold service before the violence," explains managing director Michaela Gosch. With an emphasis on "before", because the new number is intended as a preventative measure: "You can call if you have relationship problems, control or jealousy. Break-ups, for example, are among the most dangerous situations for women. That's why we want to provide support and clarify dangers."

In addition, 0800 20 44 22 provides referrals to counseling centers in the districts, the violence protection center and other contact points. 

The sad fact is that of the eleven women who were killed in Styria in 2023, not a single one had tried to seek help beforehand. "90 percent of those affected by serious violence, including murder, don't turn to anyone," says Marina Sorgo, head of the Violence Protection Center. "This is a drama. You have to look at how to reach these high-risk cases." 

Violence is a deterrent
There is no one-size-fits-all solution. According to Michaela Gosch, when it says violence, it often deters those who are not (yet) affected by it. In this respect, the new number differs from the many other helplines such as the Austria-wide women's helpline (0800 222 555), the 24-hour emergency number for women's shelters (0800 202017), the men's helpline (0800 246 247), the violence protection center ([phone]) and the police emergency number.

Is it even possible to find your way around with so many numbers? "The success of the new number depends on us reaching the target groups," says Gosch.

LR Doris Kampus, Michaela Gosch and LR Simone Schmiedtbauer(Bild: Land Steiermark)

Too little money?
Doris Kampus (SPÖ, protection against violence) and Simone Schmiedtbauer (ÖVP, women) have earmarked 100,000 euros for the first year of operation. A lot of money at first glance. However, if you compare it with other hotlines, the figure seems low: the psychiatric crisis hotline PsyNot, for example, costs 1.7 million euros a year, and only recently the funding was increased by 600,000 euros because previously "around 54 percent of calls could not be answered immediately due to the single staffing". However, these funds are also used to set up an outgoing crisis service. 

According to Doris Kampus' office, the 100,000 euros is start-up funding until the end of the year and more money would be made available for staff and advertising if necessary. The KPÖ has suggested printing the number on milk cartons.