“Violence does not make a plant grow. At most, it pulls up its roots.”

Walter Ludin

The risk of becoming a victim of violence is up to ten times higher within one’s “own four walls.” Domestic violence particularly affects women and children. To them, women’s shelters offer a place of refuge and a temporary home where they can slowly grow their roots again.

One of the first women’s shelters in Austria was opened in Linz as early as 1982 – the very first shelter for women and children was founded in Vienna in 1978. There are currently a total of 29 women’s shelters throughout Austria.

The Women’s Shelter Linz offers abused and/or threatened women – with and without children – protection and safety from violent relatives in acute cases by providing temporary shelter as well as continuous care through psychosocial counseling and support. If necessary, residents are also accompanied to court, offices and authorities.

On average, 160 to 180 people live at the Women’s Shelter Linz throughout the year and 1000 to 1200 counseling sessions are held in addition to thousands of conversations with the residents.

The Women’s Shelter Linz stands for…

• … protection and security through immediate accommodation.
• … the principle of “women helping women” .
• … the principle of “helping women to help themselves” in order to empower them to make their own decisions.
• … Anonymity: No data is passed on to third parties without the consent of the woman.
• … Accessibility: Admission around the clock, 365 days a year.

Do you want to become active yourself?

If you want to support the Women’s Shelter Linz, you will find all the necessary information on the following website:

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This year, our Christmas card was again designed by “VOI – the association for original inclusion“. The drawing is by Rudi Egger.