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 inter-agency 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.
This chapter describes the international policy framework and efforts made on the international and European level to further the fight against violence against women and domestic violence. The respective national legal frameworks and organisational context of front-line responder services are discussed in-depth in the following chapters. The IMPRODOVA project followed a bottom-up approach in its investigation of ground-level practices of cooperation of front-line responder services, which are, however, only meaningfully understood when interpreted in the governing national legal and policy framework. While numerous international policy documents relate to domestic violence, the ratification of the Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence in 2011 represents perhaps the most significant attempt to institute a comprehensive policy framework in this field. The "Istanbul Convention" includes the first legally binding, international, and wide-reaching set of norms to combat violence against women in general and domestic violence specifically.
This chapter covers the effects of the COVID-19 crisis on the incidence and severity of domestic abuse cases in Europe. First, the manifestation of the COVID-19 lockdown and its adverse effects on private life are described. Building upon this description, co-occurring risks factors with a high potential to initiate or intensify domestic abuse (e.g., cramped living conditions) are discussed. Responding to various calls on investigating the impact of COVID-19 on domestic abuse incidents, IMPRODOVA research on the first lockdown shows that the related concerns for various reasons are inconsistently reflected in domestic abuse-related statistics. In some IMPRODOVA partner countries, however, victimisation numbers went up, after the lockdown ended. Consequently, the complexity of detecting domestic abuse cases during lockdowns are discussed. In line with the strong concern about intensified victimisation, innovative responses by front-line professionals to detect and manage domestic violence and abuse cases are presented. Building on the beforehand presented assumptions, findings and explanations, the chapter closes by highlighting eighteen recommendations regarding risk assessment and victim support during pandemics.
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