Vienna Sees Rise in Mental Health-Related Domestic Violence

Vienna Sees Rise in Mental Health-Related Domestic Violence

Victim Protection Centre head Nina Lepuschitz speaking during a press conference earlier this year. Image: APA/HELMUT FOHRINGER

 

Vienna police are increasingly handling domestic violence cases involving offenders with psychiatric disorders, officials have confirmed.

Since its trial began last year, the Victim Protection Centre (Opferschutzzentrum) has handled around 650 high-risk cases. Nina Lepuschitz, head of the centre, said such offenders are often “unaware of the severity of their violent behaviour.”

Although the Vienna Police Directorate does not maintain specific data on this group, offenders with psychiatric disorders – 98% of whom are male – present unique challenges. Lepuschitz explained: “These individuals are often unable to cognitively process legal consequences.”

This group is distinct from two other main categories of domestic violence perpetrators: family-related offenders, predominantly men with patriarchal attitudes; and substance-dependent offenders, whose violence is driven by alcohol or drug addiction.

“Each of these groups requires a distinct approach to prevention,” Lepuschitz said, highlighting the varied motivations behind the violence.

Risk Assessment

The police use specialised software, known as “GiP-Support” (Violence in Private Settings), to assess the risk posed by domestic violence cases. The software uses probability-based calculations to flag the most severe incidents, which are then referred to the Victim Protection Centre.

From October 2023 to September 2024, the centre recorded 600 high-risk cases. Of the approximately 350 restraining orders issued monthly in Vienna, over 14% were referred to the centre.

In total, 650 cases were processed during the year, including those where offenders violated restraining orders or contact bans. Nearly 600 individuals considered to be at high risk received support during this period.

Lepuschitz also noted a key success in improving communication with offenders. “Some 59% of offenders were willing to engage in dialogue,” she said. “This represents a doubling of the contact rate from one-third to roughly two-thirds of all high-risk offenders.”

Officers at the Victim Protection Centre carry out scientific risk assessments and collaborate closely with organisations such as the Violence Protection Centre, Neustart Association, and Vienna Women’s Shelters. However, the centre remains in its trial phase, and its long-term future remains uncertain. “The decision to integrate the centre into the standard framework, along with the necessary staff positions, lies with the Ministry of the Interior,” the Vienna Police Directorate stated.

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