One in three women is affected by violence
Across Europe, one in three women still lacks a fundamental human right: a life free from violence. This violence can take many different forms, ranging from psychological, sexual or physical abuse to murder. In terms of the number of femicides, i.e. the intentional murders of women because of their gender, Austria is sadly one of the EU's leading countries.
Online misogyny is an everyday occurrence
Women experience violence in almost all areas of life, increasingly also in the digital space. The apparent anonymity of the internet and the perceived lack of punishment disinhibit perpetrators. They use the internet and digital tools to harass, insult and threaten women.
Digital violence against women in numbers
Digitale violence
38 %
Women worldwide
Source: The Economist
Intelligence Unit (EIU)- Studie 2020
Online harassment
58 %
Girls and young women worldwide
Source:
Survey Plan International 2020
Online violence
73 %
Women journalists worldwide
Source:
UNESCO-Report 2020
5 tips for standing up to online hate
Report hate speech: Use the platforms' reporting function to report hate speech. Many social networks have clear policies against hate speech and respond to reports by removing the content or blocking the users.
Take legal action: If you are affected by online hate, you may consider legal action. Document the hate speech and contact the relevant authorities or a lawyer to explore legal action.
Expose hate speech: Draw attention to hate speech by clearly identifying it and explaining its negative effects. This can help to raise awareness and sensitise others.
Respond with counter speech: Respond to hate comments with factual and well-founded arguments. A calm and objective counter-speech can often achieve more and shows that you do not stoop to the level of the haters. According to a study, hate comments on the internet can be effectively curbed by getting the authors to empathise with those affected.
You can find helpful information on this here:
saferinternet.at - Wie leiste ich Gegenrede?
„Mann spricht´s an – sag was“
Get help: If you feel burdened by online hate, don't hesitate to seek support. Talk to friends, family or professional counsellors.
There are also organisations that offer support and resources for those affected by online hate.
Internet Ombudsstelle
Frauen* beraten Frauen*
ZARA - Zivilcourage & Anti-Rassismus-Arbeit
Partner of UN Women Austria
In order to raise awareness of the dramatic situation of women affected by violence, we at Erste Group are supporting Orange the World, a 16-day initiative by UN Women Austria that addresses violence against women, as main partner for the fifth year in a row. Selected savings banks and subsidiary banks in the CEE region are also taking a stand against violence against women.
We make our support for the Orange the World initiative visible by flying orange flags and wrapping the entrance to the Erste Campus in a rich orange colour. The colour symbolises the hope for a future free of violence.
But we also draw attention to the alarming extent of violence against women through self-protection or awareness training for employees, fundraising campaigns for women's shelters, art installations, etc.
Living free from violence: a privilege or not?
In a social experiment, our employees considered the question of how their gender or gender identity influences their experiences with violence. Is a life free from violence really a universal human right or a privilege enjoyed by some and not by others?
Help for victims of violence
- The Frauenhelpline (women's helpline) helps women affected by violence (Mon-Sun, 0-24 hrs, free of charge): 0800 / 222 555
- In case of acute violence: Police 133 or EU emergency number 112
- Männerinfo supports men and their relatives in crises (Mon-Sun, 0-24 hrs, free of charge): 0800 / 400 777
- The Telefonseelsorge (telephone counselling service) offers professional counselling on the phone (Mon-Sun, 0-24 hrs, free of charge): 142