Frontline Response to High Impact Domestic Violence in Austria

Abstract

The networked response to cases of high-impact domestic violence in Austria predominantly involves four groups of actors, who share both formal and informal modes of interagency cooperation, and each function as independent entry points to a networked intervention. These groups consist of specialised and non-specialised police officers, a number of NGOs in the social sector, regional administration and municipal authorities, as well as the medical sector, predominantly involving hospital staff. The most important legal measure in place for the protection of victims by police is the restraining order in the Security Police Act, which was introduced as part of the victim protection guidelines. A unified and universally applied definition of domestic violence does not exist in Austria. As a result, there is no cross-sectoral standardisation when identifying violent acts. Nevertheless, the networked response in Austria is characterized by a robust system of inter-agency referrals and formalized cooperation.