The series of murders in Austria over the past few days has caused horror. Women’s Minister Susanne Raab (VP) spoke of an “unimaginable level of brutality”. Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (VP) described the acts as “bestial and disgusting”.
After the femicides in Vienna, an 84-year-old woman was shot dead yesterday morning in Eschenau (Lilienfeld district). The alleged perpetrator is her 93-year-old husband; he is said to have tried to kill himself. Investigators found a suicide note in the couple’s apartment. It was the seventh murder of a woman in 2024, the first occurred on January 25th in the Zillertal, followed by six more in the past four days.
A warning signal
The most recent femicides (see details below) are “completely different,” says Birgitt Haller from the Institute for Conflict Research IKF. But they have the same origin. “The problem is misogyny,” says Haller. The term femicide is also defined as the killing of women because of their gender. The conflict researcher also sees violence against women as an “effect of patriarchy”. In an analysis, she looked in detail at the crimes between 2010 and 2020. She discovered that there are a striking number of murders of women in Austria. Firstly, the number of female murder victims is above the EU average, while the number of male murder victims is significantly lower. Secondly, femicides as a percentage of the population have increased in Austria, while they have decreased across the EU. “This can certainly be seen as a warning signal,” said the study author.
It is important to review the cases retrospectively in order to identify possible errors within the institutions.
At a higher level since 2017
As police crime statistics show, the number of women killed in Austria has not increased continuously. However, the numbers were at a higher level from 2017 onwards. For comparison: In 2014 there were 19 female murder victims in Austria, in 2018 there were 41, more than twice as many. That was the highest value in the past ten years. Last year, the Autonomous Austrian Women’s Shelters Association (AÖF) counted 26 femicides.
The Linz women’s shelter also belongs to the association. Those affected find refuge there; around a third stay for up to a year. Before the women come there, they have usually experienced violence for years, says Karin Raab, who runs the Linz women’s shelter. Often it would start with psychological violence. “This can increase over the years. Violence is often only recognized when it becomes physical.”
The women’s shelters are “well occupied,” says Raab. “But we always have a place for women when they need it.” It is difficult to say whether the high utilization is due to increasing violence or rather to increased awareness.
In many cases it is not women who seek protection independently. Victims of violence are repeatedly discovered in hospital because of the pattern of injuries. The police or violence protection centers often become active so that those affected – usually including their children – can find accommodation in a safe environment. And it is not uncommon for women to be thrown out the door by their husbands. Financial dependence is still a big issue, says Raab. Shame also plays a major role for those affected. Interior Minister Karner assured yesterday: “I am convinced that the measures taken by the federal government so far will take effect.”
Verena Gabriel
