Haus der Frau
Women’s Shelter
HAUS der Frau
Women’s Shelter
Your living space
Each woman is allocated a room for herself and her children. A small bathroom is shared with a maximum of one other female resident. A large bathroom and the kitchen are shared with a maximum of 5 women.
Living in
safety
The HAUS der FRAU women’s shelter has a covered playground, a large living room for social activities, sunny balconies, a patio, a garden with toys, a games room and a playroom.
Having the time – getting stronger
You are able to rest and to enjoy the community together with other women and children. You structure your day. You will benefit from a protected atmosphere and you won’t be left alone with your problems.
The financial support for security measures from the federal state of Lower Austria means that the degree of protection
in St. Pölten women’s shelter corresponds to the latest technical standards.
Professional advice
A female social worker who is responsible for you will accompany you during your stay at the women’s shelter. She will support you during this stressful period in your life and consider possible changes with you. If necessary, the advice will be translated by an interpreter. The staff at the women’s shelter are obliged to maintain confidentiality. Each woman decides for herself what others are able to know about her. Information will only be disclosed with your consent.
We will be pleased to advise you on the following topics:
- Safety planning according to professional risk assessment
- Clarifications and support surrounding your rights
- Legal support, health care and trauma management
- Information events for residents
- Networking with professional support organisations
- Building independence in terms of education, work and living
We will support you!
St. Pölten women’s shelter has space for 18 women and their children. You decide on the duration of your stay, the legal steps, a possible separation and your path to an autonomous life. The team at the women’s shelter consists of female social workers and social educationalists who will provide you with professional advice and support during your stay.
- Protection and unbureaucratic admission after your initial consultation
- Risk assessment
- Housing options
- Anxiety-free atmosphere
- Advice and support
- Confidentiality and anonymity
- Accompanying to legal appointments and public authorities
- Support on your journey to independence
For help with the care of children or advice on development and educational issues, you are welcome to contact the social educationalists at the women’s shelter.
History of the HAUS der FRAU women’s shelter in St. Pölten
In the 1970s, the women’s movement began discussing violence against women by family members. This resulted in the issue gaining traction among the general public. Forms of behaviour and structures which were commonplace before then were recognised as violence, demonstrated as such and no longer accepted. Until then, the family had been considered off-limits to the public. It was almost impossible for the affected women to express their experiences or to conceive of a change in their situation.
These women had to be encouraged to leave their violent relationship while being protected at the same time. Their extreme need for protection led to the creation of the first women’s shelters.
In the last 40 years a change of awareness has taken place: Violence against women gained clear recognition as an injustice throughout society, and is no longer dismissed as a problem for the individual.
Rather than being considered a personal misfortune that happens to a woman, violence is defined as a fundamental violation of their human rights, as the exercise of power in the private sphere. This change of perspective also includes the fact that consistent interventions by the executive and the judiciary have proven able to prevent further violence.
The will of our society to stop tolerating violence against women is expressed through the legislation on the prevention of violence which has been in effect since 1997.
The HAUS der FRAU women’s shelter opened in 1984 following an initiative of the KFB St. Pölten led by Ms. Anna-Maria Figdor and Countess Christina Trauttmansdorff, and was redesigned and extended in 1986.
In 1997, it moved to a new location, where a larger women’s shelter was built due to the urgent demand for its services. In 2004, the HAUS der FRAU opened, with 18 places for women and their children.
For 27 years until the year 2018, Maria Imlinger led the St. Pölten women’s shelter with her wholehearted dedication, and since 2007, Anna Durstberger has been the head of the “HAUS der FRAU – Verein zur Hilfe für Frauen und Kinder in Notsituationen” (the Haus der Frau charitable association for aid to women and children in emergency situations).
Milestone
On 07.07.2022, a milestone was set with an amendment to the Lower Austrian Social Assistance Act:
The Lower Austrian women’s shelters can now accept all women affected by violence with a legal residence title in Lower Austria.
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