While Europe lacks between 40,000 and 50,000 shelter places for women and children,
perpetrators are still considered being good fathers.
Not long ago, human rights signified men’s rights. Women and children were considered
property of men, domestic violence men’s private matter. Only 20 to 30 years ago, said
Vienna Police President Gerhard Pürstl in his speech on 25th of November, the International
Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the police did not take domestic
violence seriously. Today women’s rights are recognized as human rights. Today, human
rights encompass the private sphere. Today, violence against women is understood as the
most visible and the most repulsive form of discrimination against women. However, laws are
only effective if enforced and protection is only possible if resources are provided.
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