the poverty risks of women affected by violence and their children

8/7/2019 The Poverty Risks of Women Affected by Violence and Their Children

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The PoverTy risksof Women AffecTed by violence

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conTenTs

0. IntroductIon............................................................................................................................................................................................. 50.1. Poverty has a female face........................................................................................................................................................................ 6

0.2. Fundamental prerequisites for a life without poverty .................................................................................................................... 7

0.3. Capabilities and perspectives................................................................................................................................................................ 8

0.4. Social exclusion........................................................................................................................................................................................... 8

0.5. Poverty risks and violence against women....................................................................................................................................... 8

0.6. Gender-related reasons for poverty..................................................................................................................................................... 9

0.7. The scope and consequences of violence against women and their children................................................................ 10

0.8. At-risk groups............................................................................................................................................................................................. 13

0.9. The special situation of children......................................................................................................................................................... 13

0.10. Denitions of individual at-risk groups.......................................................................................................................................... 15

0.10.1. Immigrants............................................................................................................................................................................................ 15

0.10.2. Asylum seekers................................................................................................................................................................................... 17

0.10.3. Older women........................................................................................................................................................................................ 21

0.10.4. Women with disabilities................................................................................................................................................................... 21

0.10.5. Single mothers..................................................................................................................................................................................... 22

1. HealtH............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 25

1.1. Health and poverty................................................................................................................................................................................... 25

1.2. Interactions between health, poverty and violence against women .................................................................................... 25

1.3. The situation of immigrants affected by violence........................................................................................................................ 27

1.4. The situation of women with disabilities affected by violence ............................................................................................... 281.5. The situation of older women affected by violence.................................................................................................................... 29

1.6. Recommendations................................................................................................................................................................................... 31

Example........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 34

2. educatIon and traInIng................................................................................................................................................................ 37

2.1. Education/training and poverty........................................................................................................................................................... 37

2.2. Interactions between education and training, poverty and violence against women ................................................... 37


2.4. The situation of women with disabilities affected by violence ............................................................................................... 40

2.5. The situation of older women affected by violence.................................................................................................................... 41


3. Income........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 44

3.1. Income and poverty................................................................................................................................................................................. 44

3.2. Interactions between income, poverty and violence against women .................................................................................. 45





Example........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 50

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4. Inadequate socIal benefIts...................................................................................................................................................... 524.1. Inadequate social benets and povertyc........................................................................................................................................ 52

4.2. Interactions between inadequate social benets, poverty and violence against women ........................................... 53

4.3. The situation of immigrants affected by violence ........................................................................................................................ 54




Example........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 57

5. HousIng........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 59

5.1. Housing and poverty............................................................................................................................................................................... 59

5.2. Interactions between housing, poverty and violence against women .............................................................................. 60

5.2.1. The general situation in Vienna........................................................................................................................................................ 61

5.2.2. The general situation in Salzburg................................................................................................................................................... 62

5.3. The situation of immigrants affected by violence ........................................................................................................................ 62




6. separatIon | dIvorce......................................................................................................................................................................... 65

6.1. Separation | divorce and poverty....................................................................................................................................................... 65

6.2. Interactions between separation/divorce, poverty and violence against women........................................................... 666.3. The situation of immigrants affected by violence ........................................................................................................................ 68


6.5. The situation of single mothers and their children ...................................................................................................................... 69


7. tHe act on settlement and resIdence (nag) ............................................................................................................. 72

7.1. Immigration and poverty........................................................................................................................................................................ 72

7.2. Interactions between immigration, poverty and violence against women......................................................................... 72

7.3. Family reunication.................................................................................................................................................................................. 73

7.4. Dependence on the reunier with regard to residence and labour laws............................................................................ 75

7.5. Sufcient income to ensure subsistence........................................................................................................................................ 777.6. Health insurance....................................................................................................................................................................................... 79

7.7. Evidence of accommodation............................................................................................................................................................... 80

7.8. Extension procedures............................................................................................................................................................................. 80


Fallbeispiel ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 82

8. good practIce example: pi i vi h............................................. 84

9 .references............................................................................................................................................................................................... 89

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Violence against women, many of whom are mothers, remains one of the most pervasive human rights violations

of our time. It has far-reaching consequences endangering the lives of women and girls, harming their families and

communities, and damaging the very fabric of societies. Ending and preventing violence against women should be a key

priority for all countries.

ut nat sta-Ga ba k-, 15 ma 2009

mag t itata da fa1

Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family,including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event

of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his

control.

ua daat ha rgt, At 252

According to the Global Gender Gap Report 2009, Austria has fallen from 57th to 103rd place in the world-wide

comparison of womens economic participation. Austria now only holds 42nd place regarding achievements in the eld

of womens equality (while it still ranked 29th in 2008) and is second to last among the 27 EU countries.

Global Gender Gap Report 2009

Ga G Gap rpt 20093

The UNDP Human Development Report of 2009 also states that the standard of living and the development potential in

Austria are signicantly less favourable for women than for men. According to the Report, women in Austria earn about

40% less than men.

un ha dpt i 20094

Equality of women is a human right. The UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women

(CEDAW) also stipulates that it has to be ensured that women in Austria have the same development potential as men.

CEDAW is the most important UN Convention regarding womens rights and has also been ratied by Austria. According

to CEDAW, systematic steps have to be taken to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women in all areas of life.

The 30 Articles of CEDAW cover all areas of life from education to work and health. The Convention was adopted by the

United Nations in 1979 and has been signed by 182 countries so far



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WAve (W Agat v ep) t tw epa w t a w gt. it aqat a at Ata, t p t Ata At W st

Aat (Af). f 1994, WAve a p a ppt a at t w

organisations in a total, at present, of 47 European countries, in particular by means of specic, practical projects in the

elds of domestic violence, protection against violence and prevention of violence.

A d 2007 WAve a pat wt tw epa pat gaat, a oa Gb (ut

kg) a la (ita), t tt a tw-a ProGress pjt t epa c:

GW matag a catg G eqat At Pt a i statg. T t

ta ga t pjt wa t g, a w, ppt att pt a a

wt t epa u (eu) a at ata Ata, ita a t ut kg, a t pata a

at ggtg t tat tw agat w a pt a w a ttg g-tag

p gat Ata a ppag a pt t a t wg wt t pt.

i t tt t pjt WAve ta a ata gp pt w, wp, t t

a apt t a a tat w pg . T wa paa a -pt

aa Ata pt tatg a ptt a a 2008105, pa wt ga t

t ta t pt a agat w. WAve, a t at at t Ata At

W st Aat (Af), t a Atz, t Ata At-pt ntw.

T pa t ta t t pat t w pt at t tata pat ag

tg. T 11t WAve va 24 t 26 spt 2009 a pa wp tat t t: sa- gt w , pa gat w. up

t qt la a oa, a t g-tag WAve pat gaat caa , t w

g bza (ita), wa t t ta pat t tata pat ag tg t pt t

ta apt at t pt a agat w ita. it wa a pa t ga a ta

ag a, w ta t ta pa a t, w.

W w t ta a t ata pt gp t pt a t pat: bgt Ta-

haag (w t sazg,) maa m (Ata ntw Agat Pt a sa e), maja

b (dt A itt ct va), ia l (w t va), Aa b (w

t va), cta mat (w t va), Aga iz (va cg ct mgat)

a A eg-battt (lw Ata tag pjt: v agat W: T ra that-ca st). W a a t t Ta lgt (a t G Pt ct t P

sazg) aa p wt g t p t w wt at, a gatt t

A kapp (A cat Ata), w pta, a wt t t, ag t tt a apt

a .6

This report summarises the results of the work of the expert group. It consists of seven main chapters that largely reect

t t ptat p . d t t pt t jt t t p t ta a apt

tat a, , a t tt. T t pt at a t at. st, p,

it denitely makes sense to give a general, if incomplete, overview of this issue.

T pat t tt apt p ta gt t t ga aw a pt.

it a t tat tat t t w, a pt a tpt. T w p

0. inTroducTion


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without giving a precise denition of term poverty as well as a description of the at-risk groups that are most relevant fort pt (gat, w, w wt at a w a g t). T at t g a t

analysis of the complex interactions of the individual areas in which decits caused by poverty are particularly frequent

(health, education, income, inadequate social benets, housing as well as separation/divorce).

T wg apt p ta aa a at wt t aa tat a qt

t tt pt a . T a at ggtg t wat tt a pt a ta

exacerbate each other and how hard it is for the women concerned to nd a way out of their precarious situation in

. T apt gat (capt 7) tg tat tat pt a a a g w t

at stake. And it is revealed that Austrias legislation in this eld (in spite of repeated amendments) does not meet the

ga (a aw ga) taa appa t gat a a pt a a gt. it w

ta w gat pa aat t tat gat w at .

Finally, we will describe the range of services that the womens shelters provide and that specically focus on combating

poverty. The good practice example of Viennas womens shelters underlines that it is our task and practice to ght

pt at a , w, gtta, t g t t ga p a pta -a.

2010 a gat a t epa ya catg Pt a sa e. f t a w ga

t a a t t tgat t t tat a pt t pt. A w a p tat t w a at

tt t taa tgatg t pt at t apt agat w.

0.1. poverty Has a female face

In order to understand how violence against women is connected with poverty it is necessary to explain and dene

t t pt a a w a t t a q a aa , a at,

gures and studies as well as practical experience. Not all women who are survivors of violence are inevitably affected

pt a a a a. st, , a pa p a g

t, a g- at pt. v a g pt a a w a t . T

a t tat w tat t wg apt.

Pt a a a a: t at a pt t a a a a aa a t pa.

ept t pt t a t a p gaat, w t attpt t gt t

appa a jt t aga pta ata a pt t ttta p aa.7

Sloganisation is closely linked to simplication, and messages communicated in this way are almost always both true

a a, ptat a ag: t a, t tat w a t w a t, a

, at pt ta , t t t, t tat t aw, .., wa = p,

a ag a t wg, a t t tg g ttp.

One of the great challenges in the poverty debate is dening poverty as such, as this is signicant for measuring poverty

a ag pt , a a tg t tt pt. At epa , t t

tg tw tw pt: at t pt a tat pp a t a pt t t

t a a , g, tg a a a. T tp pt tpa t

tat pg t ta gp ep, .g., pp ra a st.



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i t ajt epa t, w, pt t t ag t : atpt. Pp a a t g pt t a a aqat a t p t

ag a taa g apta t t w t . ba t pt t

a p tp aatag tg pt, w , p g, aqat at a a

a t g ag, t, pt a at. T a t a aga patpatg

att (, a a ta) tat a t t pp a t a t ata gt

a tt.8 This denition of poverty implies that poverty may be different according to country, depending on

general living standards, and also that poverty cannot just be dened on the basis of income situation and economic

ta. it ta a qt ata .

f t a t pt pt a wat Ata tat tat a t tat at, t

impossible to give a general denition of the term poverty. 9 Wat a t tg t a aa

poverty: deprivation starts where lack of nancial resources affects certain circumstances of life. Primary deprivation

a tat pp a g a a t. sa pat a tat t a t wtt

goods that are deemed desirable. The denition of manifest poverty is that people do not only have low incomes but are

also affected by deprivation. Social exclusion does not always involve a nancially disadvantaged situation, however.

The second report on poverty and wealth also points out that there is no consensus either on how exactly to dene

wat.10 T a t gtta a a aag t w: Ata, appat pp t

11 wt w t pt . At t a t, wat a a Ata.12 T

is no coincidence, but an effect that denitely results from tax advantages for income from investment and property.

T a t tw pt a wat, a p ta p w p, t pt13 could quickly and efciently be controlled in Austria: two billion euros, i.e. approximately 0.8% of GDP, would be

sufcient to put an end to structural poverty.14

0.2. fundamental prerequIsItes for a lIfe wItHout poverty

A u.s. pp mata na t apat a a gt, t aatg

a atg pt ag w (a w a pt a ) ta t qt wat w/a

ata a t at wat w/a a apa g a g. i t w, t a att a,

ta a apat. T g wat pta t t a qa pptt, w

pp t at qa pt t tat , t wtt tag pt a t pt

processes or even the results that might nally ensue. In an open list, Nussbaum names aspects of life to which these

apat at a w a t a pqt g a t a : tgt a

at, g a t a a -t , pga a ta w-g, p a

pptt pt (w pta a att p a w a g ),

g a t a pt t g a t pa w , g a t at t t a gag

a a tat, t patpat pta , t a t gt t pt a t

ppt, a ta t a t pa a j ata att. lg a t tat

ta g a t t apat a t a a -t . epg a

atp a tt t t w .

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0.3. capabIlItIes and perspectIves

nt pt, a wat a t a a p appa: t t wat t

includes more than just the material and nancial resources that are available to a person. It rather reects the option to

a a a p t a a apat. i t tt t a ta t at

t p tat tat a tgg a a t, w a t w pptt a apat

a ag a t w t a aat.

Poverty means that it is impossible to meet the goals one has set for their own lives. In a wealthy money economy

such as Austria, income poverty is the main cause for the lack of capabilities. Still, income analyses are insufcient

for a description of the actual situation. Income alone does not necessarily reect the goods a person possesses,

because support by social networks or benets in kind granted by public agencies cannot be estimated, and neither caninefcient household management be expressed in gures. The ability to use income to develop and realise capabilities

is determined by personal, social and environmental factors of development that mutually inuence one another.

For instance, age, gender, educational level and health or disability are factors that inuence a persons chances of

realising capabilities, as do access to the labour market and work conditions, access to education and health care as

well as the possibility to express ones concerns in a political way. Exclusion and privileges show as complex social

processes that, while they go beyond poverty and wealth dened in terms of monetary resources, are in fact closely

linked.

In order to prevent poverty, a basic level of social opportunities is required, which has to be ensured through equality

of access to institutions. It is decisive to overcome decits in this very eld so that also people who are nancially

disadvantaged may realise a fair share of opportunities and capabilities. 15

0.4. socIal exclusIon

i t apat, t qt w a tt a. i at,

factors such as time poverty, respect, chances of cultural and political participation and inuence, self-representation

a att tptat, a a w. sa a a atw tat t t

tt pt, t pa t p w p pp t t g t, w t t a t

a pptt, a w a ta apt a , ag t g aga, pw a

at agat.16

In order to understand the extent and complexity of the phenomenon of poverty, a denition of poverty should not be t apt a at . i t gap t t-a aat pt,

ata at a t ta t at, .g., g p a at, g pt,

a t a aqat at-a, ata a a t p ttt a w a pp

ag aqat g a ta t.17

0.5. poverty rIsks and vIolence agaInst women

T pt t tat a gp pp w t aga tt t pt

t w a pata a: w pg , a t . T a a at-

gp ta a t t a tggg wt tp p a t t pa g g.m t at- gp a a ta a a a a a t t w. i Ata,

out of ve women are assumed to have suffered violence committed by their (former) partners at one time in life. This



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a gat, w, w wt at, .., gp t w a pata gat .f a w wt , t t a a t pat a tatg a a g t a t

facing the highest poverty risk (34%).18 A separation or divorce often means that women lose their nancial security,

a tat a t ga a tat gat t t gt t ta t t.

i t tt pt a w, t a t pt a . T at tat

reliable gures and data on womens poverty are lacking is a striking manifestation of exclusion. In addition to the many

aqa ta pt tatt, w at t t, a apat t a aaa ata

w pt, at p a: at a pt tatt at t , a tatt gag

pt a a t qta apt tat t qa tt

ag a p g t , w p qa a t qa at . T t ta

in this way do not reect the actual situation and in addition, they hide the fact that women, whose income is generally

w, t a t t pt t pat. T t a ta

wa t appa t jt a g-t a.

f ta, ag t a pat t Ata mt W19 recent studies conrm a higher general risk

of poverty for women, but the gender-related differences are rather small: the poverty risk is 13% for women and 11%

. hw, t a pt t tat a w w t t a t ta.

If one compares one-person households only, a 23% poverty risk shows for women who live alone (for single men, it is

14%). The risk is particularly high for retired women living alone: 25%.20 rt a a a a tat

a ep.21

st, at pt ep pata a pa w pt t t tt . T, a

general statement can be given here: at present, 234 000 women in Austria (6%) live in manifest poverty, and more than

a a w a pp t a a pt . 22

0.6. gender-related reasons for poverty

In spite of the insufcient data situation, there is no doubt that women are disproportionately affected by poverty. And

t t t tat t a w pt a g-at, a pt a a g-

at q. T p tw pataa pw tt a a tat aat

wt aatag w t a g a gat ( ) pt ag w

tat a t aa a t, t a a t t t t p tat a tata

ga a w pa: t at tat w t a ag pa a t t a a

t g a pt ag w. it t t ta gat tat t, agt (

aw), t, t., w a w wtt pa. T t t, a t t t ata

a a a pt tap a w. A w a ag w a appat

gttg t t t, t w, a t pt t ta, a p ta t t w, t

gat w gg t (.g., t a t pp). i t pt, t t

g a tat ta t t at tat t ta ta a w tat a tata pt

w.

T paa w wag t t w tpa w j pat, .., a g-tlabour market. The resulting disadvantages are further aggravated by a system of social benets that are linked to

previously earned wages. Although a number of studies conrm that women disproportionately prot from welfare

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state benets, this does not solve the problem by any means. On the contrary: those who earn low wages will get lowunemployment benets, and people who have one or several unstable jobs only, e.g., marginal employment, will always

face nancial disadvantages.

Lack of childcare places, in particular for children under three years, makes it difcult for women to get jobs. Women who

t t w at pata a a a a t a a. T p qa pa

qa w p Ata ta t t t ep. 23 ct, Gaa h-h,

Ata mt W, a tat a ata at pa (nAP) qat a w tat a at

disclosure of wages in order to nd out how wide the gender gap actually is in individual enterprises and organisations.24

A pataa w g a aw t pat at pta t. T

ppt at a aj ta t t ga ptg a atg w pt. A w t

w a aw a apt t ag g, t t a tat t ppt

a awa pg. f ta, t pt p t a a t pg

pga a at atg pt, t ptat tat w pa a g, a tt

t w w a ag pt, wt ga a tg w a tg t

at. opat pga a -a a w a a

ppa, t t t t t ta tt w, a pw. P-a a

p t p p w a tgg pt, a wtt ag at a ag t pataa

a -a t. hw, t ga t at w pt, a w a pt a ,

a t a taa wa, t a pta aw a t pt t t tt a aa ag

w a t w.

0.7. tHe scope and consequences of vIolence agaInst women and tHeIr

cHIldren

v agat w t w t qt a t a gt at t. T

are a variety of national and international studies showing that 20% to 25% of all women interviewed indicated that in

their adult life they had suffered physical violence, and 10% stated experience of sexual violence by their partners. If all

a ta t at, ag t a t c ep t 2006 25 t a

of women experiencing violence is as high as 45%. According to a study by SEESAC, a project funded by the United

nat26, appat 100 w t t tta 500 pp g t 27 tat t

eu a t a . btw a tw w a a.

Austria does not have studies to conrm this, but it is estimated that in Austria one out of ve women have become

t tt t w pat (a, a, - pat, , t.). A

ptat t t tt agat w, w wa t Ga 200427, w tat

t w a p t pat at at .

i 2008 a, 3 220 w a t t t t 26 at w t Ata t gt

ptt a p.28 data p t tt t, pt t t p w tat

w a pptat t at t ta : t tatt t dt

A itt ct va29

reveal that 91% of victims are women or girls, and in 90% of cases the perpetrator isa a t a, t t wa () a (-) pat. e a, Ata tw

17 a 20 p tt at t at t v Ptt At. e a 30 t 40 w a



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Ata30

, a t a, - pat, t pat. m ta a a tat a aa tt Ata ta pa wt tat atp a, .., t pa

w w pt t a a ptt.31

v agat w a tta a. T ut nat daat t eat v Agat

W a tat agat w a atat ta qa pw at tw a

w, w a t at a at agat w a t t pt t

aat w, a tat agat w t a a a w w a

t a at pt pa wt .32

v agat w t a a t t a pta a a p. Ata a g t

fact and taken measures to protect victims. In 1978 the rst womens shelter was opened in Vienna, and by now,

30 w ag t a t t t p ptt a ata t w a t . i

addition, in 1998 the nationwide cost-free womens helpline (0800/222 555) was established as a rst contact point for

w. u t v Ptt At tat t t 1 ma 1997 a t qt at,

t gt t w a. J 2009 aw p tatt a at pg t gt

t .33 T aw a a tg ga wg tat t agat w a

t tat: pptat ag t a t a q wat t a . T a

paa a a t ta pa pt t a tt t a w

a g ag. vt a gt ppt pa ga g t a p

t. A 2006, t a gat t gt t t- ga a pa t ata. A t

At-tag At pt t a a a pw t tt, pat pt t w

() pat.

Still, many structural decits are found in Austria, which the CEDAW Committee of the United Nations communicated to

t Ata Gt 2007. i t g t 2007, t ut nat cedAW ctt t

eat dat agat W p t a w:

While welcoming the State partys efforts to address stereotypical attitudes and behaviours that discriminate against

women and perpetuate inequality between women and men, the Committee remains concerned about the persistence

of deep-rooted traditional attitudes and stereotypes regarding the roles and responsibilities of women and men in the

family and in society. The Committee expresses its particular concern about the persistent stereotyping of women

primarily as mothers and caregivers and of men as breadwinners. Such stereotypes, which undermine womens social

status and are reected in womens disadvantaged position in a number of areas, including in the labour market and in

access to decision-making positions, in their study and professional choices and in the marked division of family and

domestic tasks, constitute a signicant impediment to the practical realization of the principle of equality of women and

men, as called for in article 2 (a) of the Convention.34

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p a ta pat a t a t at pata ggat a t aw a

t pa gap tw w a , t a t a t w, t a w

at t pt a t ta a t atat t at a a pa pt

a t tp at agat gat a a . Wt ga t t pt

agat w, t ctt a a p t stat pat Ata t pt pa a ata at

pa a apag t pt a at agat w, t t t t t at a

agat w g t , a t ta t at t p tat gat

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a a at , t a t a a tt ta t, ta pt p a p wt aqat aa , t a tat

t ata (.g., tp a atp t pptat t t t), w a a

p aaa a t a tg a ptat t a t p a.35

v agat w a a a, atg w wt ga t t t

at, a t a ta, g a-at t. T t agat w pa

tp , w a t :

pa : pg, g, pg, g, g, atg wt jt a w a aagg

tg pa ppt, ag t ttg pt, t.;

pga : a a, at, g g a wa p, a a

tat, , tat, t., pt tag, .. tt wg, waag, aag a

pg a wa, t.;

a : t p a at tat a t agat t a -tat w: ap,

a aat, g a wa t at p ata, t.;

a : t a at (.g., pt t tat t, g p a wa, ttg t p);

: a pw aa a, .g., t gg a wa t t aag

t , pg t t a tat, g a wa t a j a w

a at, t.

o t, t agat w t t qt a . v t jt tp. f w a , t t paat t t ag pa. Aga: t a

at tat a 30 t 40 w a Ata a tat a t a tt

() pat a at.36 it ta t tt t pa tat w a w Ata,

pt a g ga aw t a t t ptt agat . i 2004 tw a tat w

pa g w at t t un cedAW ctt t Aat W A t

Jt a t dt A itt ct va.37

dt agat w a a a q a t t

pa t p p a ta pa. i a Ata t t t ittt ct ra

t p t t w tat. T tp t a aa a

p att, t at-a t, ata a w a t apat w. Ag tt t, a aa tta ta 78 p a a t pt (wt at a atg

at 14 ). T at , w, tat t ata t a t gat g,

w, a a aa w a pa ata a aaa a a gat a pt

a awa a t a.38

i t t ha a daw tat tat t t t a t a Wt

t t a 1990. A t swtza a t 1998 tat a at 262

tat a t pa a t tt t . i 2004, sa Wa tgat t

tat ega a Wa, g g tw pat tat atp.

h tat t a t t pt t p t a t a jt t a w a

t aa at, a , g, ga t, a tpt a w a

ta t a ppt , atg t a tta 33.6 .39



14/96

hw, t a , t t at a a tat t a t gt t ata. o t ta: t at t t p tat gat tata aw

a cedAW a t pt a g . A wa a a gt t ptt a at,

pt t t , w a gt tat t tata taa 1 pa a

w t p 10 000 atat t.

0.8. at-rIsk groups

Apart from the aspect of social exclusion, vulnerability is a term that has frequently been used in denitions of poverty.

it t t at tat pp a a a at pt a t a pt. f ta,

t app t w, a g pp, g pat, pp, gat, a , tt, pp t g p ttt a pp wt at. Ag t t pat

Pt a iqat t eu40, aw p t epa At-Pt ntw pat wt hg faz,

t gp pa a pp (ag 017) a pp (65+), w t pt

risk is 19%, as well as young people (aged 1824), with a risk of 20%. The gures relating to older people reveal that

the situation is further aggravated for women: older women are at a much higher risk than older men (21% compared to

16%). One-parent households have the highest poverty risk, i.e., 33%, and again, this group mostly consists of women.

Looking into the special challenges and difculties that these people are facing contributes to a better understanding of

the specic dimensions of poverty. However, many national and European poverty studies do not sufciently take into

at t at- gp.

W pg t , pa at a paat, a a t pt a a. ithe majority of cases they are without nancial means and without a place to live, and access to the labour market is

especially difcult for them. The situation is even more precarious for women with a background of immigration. Often,

t t a t gt t ta Ata t p t a, a a a q t qt

ta wt t pat a t t t t.

e tg, pp, wa a a t a , pt ag, atat,

of education, sexual orientation, income, etc., there are women who are facing particularly difcult problems and are

thus very vulnerable. This group includes women with learning difculties, physical disabilities and women depending

a , w w ta pa a, w a w w g,

gat a a , g a w w w t a w (a t) a paag

marriage, victims of trafcking in human beings and forced prostitution as well as girls and women who are victims of

a gta tat. T t a at a t p , a/ tat ,

() pat, a a aw, at a/ ttt. i at, t ga a tta aw

a pa a ta . Atg a gp at a ga a g a, a a

t a t a t ta t pt.

0.9. tHe specIal sItuatIon of cHIldren

c w p t wt agat t t a t at

t a pt a w a a . ep pa a aag t at

ta, pga, pa a ta pt a g pp. st t a

shown that in 70% of cases in which women suffered violence by their partners the children were abused as well.41

T t agat t wa, t a t t at agat t w . bt

s 13


15/96

t a t pa t, t a t at t: t ttt agat t w t a t wt a a tat agat t t.

Atg t t tat agat w t t agat 42, t at t a t

t ta t at. ot t a pt t ptt t w t t

t gt t ppt a ata t w . A paat t atata

tp t g . Qt t ta: t t t tag g w

t t a at .

T t tat a a q t t

p a w a a p t tp

a tt t a w a t g t w t a

at. T t a t a p tat,

w a a t a p t pga pt. W pa a

a t j, t a pga t awa at

t at.43

ngg a pga w, t ta t tp ,

t ata wat a a agaat t a . lw

, pt, a a aqat g t pat pa

a a t a t t t t a a t . mt, a at

a, a t a t aqat a t tat, .g., t a g a at p a ta a.

A atp t t t a t a, a t gt . T

t pa ptat t a a aqat a pa a gat

so that qualied care services for children are available outside the family. A frequent consequence of the

t a tat t p at a t t t p wa

or cannot support their development. Once the children reach school age, if not earlier, these decits will

at a t aggaat t t a: a t at

at a a, g at t aaa t t .

ep awa a gat q , t w t a atthemselves and when they are indirectly affected. Between 10% and 30% of all children and young people

wt t t a.44 ea t t a wt t

t t w wa a a pg tatg. T q t a w at a

: pa, pga, ta a w a t a. c at a

ag a t w-ajt, p tt -, a t t a

a w agg patt a wt gat pat at.

c a pa p t tat at , a t a p gttg a

at t ag at ag wt t a t. i t t p t p wt p,

t a a t a tat t, a t g t qt a p pt-taat

t . ot pt a pg , tat t patt a ,

w a a p t .45



16/96

A w wt , t t a tat t at w twa t t, a aptt a a t w t a, a t tt t g t tt a pata

gat wa. f ta, w t wt t at a ga a a gtat a

atg t. G, t t a, a a t t a t, a atg t

ga a a t a a g t at, t p a a tg a. i

t a, t a agt a qt atp at , a t pa

w t.46

i a a, t at tat t ptta pt pa pata gat, a t

tt t apat a ppt t g ag a wg w a a t at:

t w a a a pt47, a , p a t a at, a aa

a tt pptt a patpat.48

According to Statistics Austria, at present 15% of all children and young people under 27 years have a risk of

pt, w t pp wt a pt . c w- a t t

a a : gt pt g pp p t ag 27 t tt w g

tg, t pt w p ag atg t t t t; pt wt

payments in arrears, and 13% live in overcrowded flats. They most probably do not have a room of their own, they

t a g pa pag, ag, t. o t t ap t. A a t, t

children are restricted in their development options: 20% of young people do not have a computer at home for

financial reasons; 28% have no access to the internet and thus cannot get familiar with the opportunities opened up

at a at tg.

49

T a tta q t ata tag t ( apt at a tag).

0.10. defInItIons of IndIvIdual at-rIsk groups

0.10.1. ImmIgrants

A state is regarded as a country of immigration when a signicant population growth because of immigration is registered.

i pata t u.s., caaa a Ataa a t tata t gat, w t aa

pp t t pat t ta tt a a att tat t qt. T

t app t Ata, atg t ppat a gw a, a t t gw, a a t gat.

Austria in fact is a country of immigration but still lacks many of the characteristics that dene an immigration countryproper. For instance, moving to Austria is possible almost exclusively in the context of family reunication or seeking

asylum. Immigration for the purpose of nding work in Austria is subject to strict regulations.

Wat pata ag t t t tat a t t pp t t w

pat Ata. T t 1960 gt at a gat a ata w. i

the beginning, recruitment was quite difcult for Austria. Subsequently, hiring agreements were concluded with Spain

1962/1969, wt T 1964 a wt ygaa 1966. T g w w a gt w. T

were welcomed with open arms because everybody was happy to nd people who were willing to work in blue-collar

j tat Ata t t , t at t ag t.

i t 1970, at t , w a at a Ata , tt wa tpp. T

t a, w, tat g ata t t Ata a g: a gt w a t gt t g

s 15


17/96

t a t Ata, a a t a t gt at t a a tat t w gg tstay in Austria for a longer period than expected at rst. Since the beginning of 1976 the Act on Employment of Aliens

(AbG) a Ata.

Meanwhile, the guest workers of the rst generation had become foreigners. In the late 1980s it was considered to

pta t t t t g, a t w t t a g w tz. s at,

t t wa aga apppat a t t t w g, tg t. u t

a gat gat w . W t w, a t t , pt g t

gat at.

T t 40 a gat a a t ag a apta. T a a apta a

respect, and the resulting social exclusion of people with a background of immigration, are reected in the difculty to

nd a name for them. As long as these people are not accepted as an integral part of society they will be regarded as

g, a g a ta aga a g.

As has repeatedly been mentioned, immigrant women are in a particularly difcult situation, especially when they are

at t . T a at agat tp wa: a w, a t, a t

origin and because of restrictive legislation. Women who arrive in Austria on the basis of family reunication do not have

a pt tt . T tat t t a, a t t a pt t a gat

tt, pa t a t wt a t pat a a t w. i t wag a w a

certain level, their residence status is derived from their husbands for a period of ve years (see Section 2 of the Act on

sttt a r). Atg pt appg t w g a gat, t qt t a tt a at a t. f ta, w a t pt t- t jt a

tt, wt t t. T a g gat a t jt a g pa

t a w t a p t p. hw, a gat w a

reluctant to turn to the police and rather resort to relatives, friends or a womens shelter. This signicantly reduces their

a t ta a t jt. i t gat a pt pt Ata, w a

t t ta a w. T ta t t t t p t tat, a t

they cannot take up state nancial support. In addition, they have to prove an accommodation in accordance with local

t a w a a t eur 770 t. A a gat w t a

employment or (have to) work in low-wage jobs it is difcult to prove such an income. Childcare duties are not taken into

at, a gat w t a t p a at t q pt t qt w

old their children are, if childcare services are available and whether the woman in question will nd employment at all.50i capt 7 t At sttt a r, t aatag w a ta.

In the corresponding laws, a number of further denitions are found, which are quoted below. An interesting aspect

tat t agag t pg p t t a w t t a a

t Ga tt. i p, t at tat w a p g t agag a

t a a at tat t awa a t awa t g pa tat w.

Denitions according to the Act on Settlement and Residence (NAG)51:

i: a p w ata Ata;

eea i: a a w a ata t Pat t t Agt t epa e Aa;

: t t gt eeA ata t tt Ata;

hi- i: a a w eeA ata;



18/96

: a p a ag a apt tp (a a), p tatt p, wt t pt p Ata ata, eeA ata ata swtza, 18 a

of age or older; if, in the case of polygamy, one spouse is already living with the reunier in the territory of Austria,

t p a t ga a pat wt t gt ;

reunifer: a t-t ata w ga t tt Ata w a tt wt t ag

t nAG a .

Denitions according to the Alien Police Act (FPG) 52:

ii hi- i: t p, at, a at t p, t p qt a

ata t eeA swtza, w a a t gt t t, t g

t ag t ag 21 (a at ag 21 p tat a ata ppt), a w a a at, a

at t p, t ag p tat t a ata ppt, a a a t-t

ata apa w t ata t eeA swtza w a t gt t a

w t t pg ;

: a t-t ata a p a ag g apt

tp (a a).

Denitions according to the Act on Employment of Aliens (AuslBG)53:

Wt t ag t AbG a a a p w ata Ata.

Denitions according to the Act on Asylum (AsylG)54:

: an alien, from the time of ling an application for asylum until the non-appealable conclusion ortat t ptt p;

ih : t pat gt t t a Ata tat gat t a

ag t t p t 2005 At A;

i ii i: t tpa gt, w a t, t t a

Ata tat gat t a ag t t p t 2005 At A.

i t pt, t t pp wt a ag gat at t p w pat (t t a

father) were born in a foreign country. This group may further be divided into rst-generation immigrants (persons born

t Ata t) a -gat gat ( gat pat t w w t

Ata).55

0.10.2. asylum seekers

T gt a a a w paat ga tt a t t t-t

ata a pt. T At A gat atg t t gt a t p

and denes the conditions under which the status of asylum seeker or entitlement to subsidiary protection is to be

gat wtaw. i t a, t p a aw a a aw a a a t,

which has not resulted in relevant improvements of the legal position of those concerned but rather reects a general

pt p agat pp w ptt.

i t p t at t t t Ata, a a ptt agat g t a t a ggt pt t t t g. b t a p pp, w t wt t

reasons for eeing will entitle a person to asylum, an admissibility procedure takes place in order to verify if Austria is

s 17


19/96

p ag t a appat t att at tat t eu a pttag t t d ii rgat56, w g epa aw. Ag t t d ii rgat,

family reunication shall have priority over any other competence criteria. Spouses and unmarried children under age

are entitled to family reunication if the reunier has been allowed to reside as a refugee in the member state in question

(Article 7). If families have been separated during their ight and family members have applied for asylum in different

member states, family reunication may only take place before the application has been the subject of a rst decision

regarding the substance (Article 8). In any other case, family reunication is possible only on the basis of the Humanitarian

Clause of Article 15, which is not binding for the EU member states. For all forms of family reunication, the consent of

t p q.

W t qt pt t eu tat a (tat p), a

seekers are not admitted as parties and their right to inspect les is restricted. The Dublin Regulation is based on the

apt tat a eu tat app t a taa a p a t a ta

tag ag appat, tat a a qa ptt agat ptat a tat.

T, t t a a wt a g gat a a ptt Ata

G. nGo a t t t a a a tt. i at, t a a t

a eu tat gag gt at g a t a t, a a gag

pt a wg tat t p aqat a ata, a a pa a

g t a p a t ta a tat atat t tgat a .

dg t at p, a g ta Ata ta tat, a a a

to a Federal Care Centre. Austria has three First Reception Points run by the Federal Asylum Ofce, which serve as carecentres. Asylum seekers must not leave the centres before their rst interview has taken place, during which they are

photographed and ngerprinted. Asylum seekers must not leave the district of the First Reception Point for a period of

p t 20 a, a t t a p at t a p a ta at a a

t. A 2010, t ggapa tt w t t t t p t at p

the Federal Asylum Ofce, which may take several months. An exception to the statutory obligation to stay in the district

p g a tatt a t t tatt t t appa a att.

A a w a p t a pa at t tt w

awa t pat w t t a pa g a a t t t tt.

dg t at p, tt pg ptat a t a, a p t

A P. T 2009 at t t A At a t ata a t t a tat jttt pg ptat ag t st 76(2) t A P At57: ta, a a at t

ggapa tt gat t tat t att a jt tt pg ptat: a a

pg a t ta a t tt t a t gt p at a

w g t. epa t a a w a t tt,

tt pg ptat a taatat. o pp, a ta

pg ptat.

A a atat t tt, a a t a a p, w t g gat

t tat t att ga (st 77 t A P At). f t pt w epa aw, t

t a t ttt a aqat aat a a, w. u t

eu rpt dt, t tt a t pt, a tt t taa

regarding material conditions for reception are deemed justied in such a case, but in an obligatory accommodation



20/96

t w a a t tt a t a, t w tt t t abenets as in a basic support accommodation. Under Austrian national laws, however, they are not entitled to such

benets. A frequent, highly questionably practice of the Alien Police is to detain a part of the family pending deportation,

wt a t a t t t a. A paat a tpa t

taatat.

pii ih i

After the decision on admissibility of the asylum procedure, asylums seekers have the right to stay in Austria until a nal

decision has been taken. During the asylum procedure, all family members may present their reasons for eeing. Under

st 20 t At A58, t a at t a -tat a t gt t tw

by an ofcial representative of the same sex, unless this is explicitly refused. However, no such regulations regarding

tpt t t a.

A t a a a tat ptt. i a gat a, t tat a

t p ag. T a app t a ptt: t tat gat ptat t

t t g w a ag t a . T tat a a t gt ,

w a ptt awa gat a p a.

bi : p

i 2004, t fa a Pa Gt ag a a t ppt a a a

w at pt (ba sppt Agt st 15a t fa cttta At 59), a a

a pa aw tat pt t ptat t Agt w apt. T ba sppt Agtdenes target groups (Article 2) and support benets (Articles 6, 7, and 10). In the case of asylum seekers who are

detained pending deportations, their entitlement to these benets is suspended for the duration of detention (Art. 2,

Paa. 2). A t pt a t a qat t tt, a a g

under the conditions of a more lenient measure are excluded from the basic support benets. Asylum seekers convicted

a a tat a a a a a a a a ppt. ot a

exclusion are ling a new application for asylum after refusal of the rst application; lack of cooperation in the asylum

p wt ga t p tt ppt (st 3 t fa ba sppt At 2005).

A t ptt ag t p a -pa wt a t a

t wtawa a ppt (st 2 Paa 3 t fa ba sppt At).

Apart from asylum seekers at the stage before a nal decision on asylum has been taken, the target group also includes

a w at pt a p t t t a ptt. Pp w a gat a a

also entitled to basic support during the rst four months after the decision on their status. According to the EU Directive

on Status, people entitled to protection should have access to the same social benets as nationals. In the case of

people entitled to subsidiary protection, however, these benets may be limited to core benets. As a rule, persons of

refugee status or people entitled to subsidiary protection who live in a private home are granted a benet in addition to

welfare assistance. If they do not have a at of their own and if they continue to live in an accommodation provided by

the government, they only obtain the basic support benets.

T p p aagg gt-ga aat a w a t ta t t

have repeatedly reported violent attacks against women and point to the staffs insufcient resources to respond tosituations of violence. Because there is a lack of expert knowhow in the eld of preventing and combating violence

agat w, a pg a t t t gt aqat p. it w a

s 19


21/96

a pt t tat w at a w a t p aat tag pga pt t w t, t tt t a t pt

t w a aaa t t ta t p. Aptg a pt a atg tat w

tat w a ptat tp t ptt w a t agat , a a a ga

t t pptat. m, g t a a a w a tt a

a t taat t. i t p a t t a agat w a

, t pt t t pptat t a ppt a qt t a t

leave the accommodation without being able to nd a support structure where they may get assistance, although this

ta pa pga ta pp. st, t Ata aw, w t a

tpa jt a , a t app a aat t g.

T ta g t a t cata, da v p ata t a

w gt-ga aat t, t t a t t t a a t

situation of women experiencing violence and to deliver adequate support services. A promising approach in this eld

t a t gt a t a , wt pa tag pga t pt

agat w a t ta t g t.

f a a , w t a t a t wtt t. it g wtt

saying that Austrias shelters always admit asylum seekers, although the situation has become more difcult in recent

a a t a p g ta t t t ta a a g .

T ptt t a at ha a g ap t pt. it a pa t

t twa a a t w a p a pa weeing. At rst, this centre was run by the association SOS Menschenrechte60. m ta tw a ag, a paat

aat wa ta tat a t ag t pjt lw Ata: t aat

m-.61

P gt-ga g g gt 17 p a a a gg p, a

amount which has never been adjusted for ination in spite of strong rises in energy costs. The asylum seekers receive

40 euros of monthly pocket money for personal expenses. Other benets include a clothing benet of 150 euros a year

a w a 200 a a t, a t tapt t a t att. A

w a ppt a a at a. i t a apa w a,

t p a a gg a g a at, a t t a tt t 200 Ga

agag . i at, t P t t tag w apa apt w a .

The benets for asylum seekers who (want to) live in private ats are so small that it is hardly possible for them to move to

pat wg. sg p a gat a a 110 p t t, a a gt a a

220 . f g p, a t at 180 p at gat. i t a , t

80 euros a month. These amounts are considerably below the level of welfare assistance; and the normal family benets,

e.g., child benet, are signicantly higher as well. In other words, basic support means poverty by law. Moreover, under

t t p a at a t t a t pa w t

a pg .

Pp tag a ppt w a a a g t tt t p, a a a , a

100 p t t. i a p a a , t ta ppt a g t



22/96

s 21

a qt, t a t t a ppt. i qt, a pp gat aga, pat t a t p t a t a a tt t p, t g aaa.

w

A a t a t t a at aw. T t at appg a, t

may either nd a job or they may work in a self-employed capacity. However, it is hardly possible actually to obtain a work

pt. A t mt e Aa a la tt t w pt t aa w.

T a a a t w pa j t t t. ep a awa t

ga tat a t pt tat t w, a a a q a w a ptat. W

pg at pt t p wt t wg t, t a w pttt,

w t wa a a t a t t w a t t.

As asylum seekers are not part of the labour market, during the asylum procedure they cannot take part in qualication

ga t P ept s. A a p t t a a, t

typically leads to a dramatic dequalication. Minor asylum seekers over 15, i.e., the age when compulsory school

atta , a t aw t g ata tag. f w a a ta, a w pt q. W

in the non-prot sector would be a legal alternative, but jobs in this eld are hardly available.

A tat , a j pt a Ga agag a at tat a tta t

tgat a qt t a at a p pga at. T ta t tw gaat pag

t tatt t taat pp, .., t haat g t wa a tt62

a t Ap a a g t t 63

, a tat g t tag ttap w t t g pg .

0.10.3. older women

This is an inhomogeneous group that cannot exactly be specied. At all events, it includes those women experiencing

w a t t a t ga pa. ma t a t atp

a a a t p t pat a. ma t a a tt p,

if at all, and/or they depend on social benets. They may perform care duties for their partners or need care themselves.

ma t a a pa w, t a t p , wt tpt. fqt t

a a at a t ajt t t p t tat a pt . A tinformation and assistance is difcult to obtain, and only few of these women actually have the courage to turn to a

w t64. bt t tg t a : t a pa a pga j

and harm to their health; often their economic and nancial situation is unstable, and thus they are at risk of poverty.

0.10.4. women wItH dIsabIlItIes65

Again, no exact denition can be given, not least because so far no valid denition has been found at international level

t tat t pt at, w t a ta t.66 For orientation, the International Classication

ftg, dat a hat (icf)67 t W hat ogazat a , w. i t p

of the authors of this report, an essential point of ICD is that on principle, classications (according to body functions and

tt [pat], a att [tat] a patpat [tt]) a wtt t

t a t pat t p t ag pp. ft, t


23/96

t ttg t gt at tat a p a t w p, a a patpatpptt a. At ttg apt tat ta at a , .g.,

ata , a w a pa at a g, ag a tt. T, a t p a

aa a tat w a a t pt a t at t pt.

T icf t Who a p tw a a a at. Ag t t a ,

at a pa p a tt a patpat t a a q at. i t a

t t a p t, w tt pp. Ag t t icf, at a t

from both barriers in ones environment and from physical impairment. However, justied criticism has been voiced that it is

awa pp wtt at w a ta a t taa pa tg a w a a patpat.

Because of accessibility decits in buildings and as special needs are not taken into account as a standard of planning,

pp wt pa t t aga, a t pata app t w a g wt at.

i t, w ga ag g a, t a aatag a pt: a t

g a a t pa . f ta, g wt at a t ag pat

t pat pt gt pata tag. W wt at a at t a at, a at, t

a t at (a) .

Women with disabilities (as well as men with disabilities) are no homogeneous group, therefore no clear denition of this

term can be given. What is essential with regard to women with disabilities is always to bear in mind their specic situation

(ag, g, at, a g at). A t a t ta t at w w wt at

t a t tat.

0.10.5. sIngle motHers

Ag t statt Ata, 295 700 g pat w gt 200868. T g t a pat w

t a wt at at , pt t ag t p . f ta,

t a a a at ag 70 a 40 a- agt, p t a a at.

i a p a PA, Ata sg Pat Pat, ga a g tat a (a t

at): 177 100 g pat wt p t ag 27. T g a tt t twa t p

ag tat pp t at- gp a ag. A g a g pp a gg at a

tag, t pat a t ata t, tat p t a tt t t, a g tat t,

g pat a t ta a t pt.69

According to PA, the share of single mothers in the total of single parents is 88%, which confirms that this is a

g tat tat at a. A t tat w wa g at g

a a wt aa aatag.



24/96

s 23

et1 http://www.unis.unvienna.org/unis/en/pressrels/2009/unissgsm113.html (26 ot. 2009)2 http://www.ohchr.org/EN/UDHR/Pages/Language.aspx?LangID=eng (26 ot. 2009)3 Ga G Gap rpt, p t W e f Ga, swtza 2009. T 2009 G Gap i 2009 t t a

aat wt at at haa ut a ut caa, b.4 un i 2009, ha dpt rpt Ata: http://hdrstats.undp.org/en/countries/country_fact_sheets/cty_fs_aut.html5 rp t (2008): t bt statg szatz za egg 2008-2010, spt 2008:

http://www.bmsk.gv.at/cms/site/attachments/4/4/0/CH0121/CMS1222677019004/strategiebericht_deutsch_0309081.pdf (15 ot. 2009; tt Ga)6 t w-d!7 s cwa/ha/Wta (2007): f dpt: ctat, cttat a cag, l, p. 4.8 epa c a c (2004): Jt rpt sa i (7101/04)9 GPP (2008): 2. At- rtt 2008, p. 5.10 i, p. 1011 The problem of simplied assessments of poverty based on the income situation of the entire household will be discussed in more detail later.12 i, p. 14913 Denition according to Statistics Austria: Any person whose annual equivalised income is below the dened threshold of 60% of median (= poverty risk line)

ga a a p at pt. i 2008 t a wa 19 011 : t pt t wa 11 406 a g-p ,

w p t appat 950 p t. http://www.statistik.at/web_de/statistiken/soziales/armut_und_soziale_eingliederung/index.html14 GPP (2008), p. 15215 GPP (2008): 2. At- rtt. va, p. 118:

http://www.politikberatung.or.at/typo3/leadmin/02_Studien/5_armut/armutundreichtum2008.pdf (16 ot. 09; tt Ga; a qt Ga tt taat sa o)

16 eAPn sa i Wg Gp/hg faz (2009): Pt a iqat t eu. b, p. 2.17 s d/htza/s (2008): ha At t, va18 i, p. 1119 Statistik Austria (2007): Frauen und Mnner in sterreich. Statistische Analysen zu geschlechtsspezischen Unterschieden. Vienna, p. 5120 According to the second report on poverty and wealth in Austria it is as high as 28%. GPP (2008), p. 12421 statt Ata (2009): e, At lgg. eg a eu-silc 2007, p. 1622 P a t Ata At-pt ntw t a itata W da, 6 ma 2009:

http://www.armutskonferenz.at/Frauentag09_Presseaussendung.pdf (15 ot. 2009; tt Ga)23 s sa Pa: fa . kzgag eqa Pa Ati:

http://www.frauen.bka.gv.at/DocView.axd?CobId=34004 (tt Ga)24 nata Atpa Gtg fa m a Atat,

http://www.frauen.bka.gv.at/site/6746/default.aspx (24 ot. 2009, tt Ga)25

c ep: catg v agat w. sttag t t a a at ta c ep stat,ppa ca haga-Wt wt t ata Jt kat a h ra/ut oa, a t G eqat,and Anti-Trafcking Division/Directorate General of Human Rights and Legal Affairs, Strasbourg 2006

26 seesAc (2007): fa P a dt v t Wt baa: A cpaat st lgat a iptat ma,sa: http://www.seesac.org/uploads/homepage/Domestic-Violence.pdf (15 ot. 2009)

27 bt fa, s, fa Jg (2004): ltat, st Gt fa dta. b28 statt t Ata At W st 2008: http://www.aoef.at/aktuell/AOFStatistik2008.pdf (15 ot. 2009; tt Ga)29 2008 tatt t dt A itt ct va: http://intste.marmara.co.at/images/doku/statistik_2008.pdf (tt Ga)30 kattt bt i 200831 Ata At W st, www.a.at:

http://www.haltdergewalt.at/frauenhelpline/Helpline_Taetigkeitsbericht_2008.pdf (15 ot. 2009; tt Ga)32 s ut nat daat t eat v agat W 20 d. 1993: http://www.un.org/documents/ga/res/48/a48r104.htm (28 ot. 2009)33 dwa at : www.aoef.at (tt Ga)34 ut nat ct t eat A f dat agat W: cg t t ctt t eat

dat agat W, 2 f. 2007;http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/cedaw25years/content/english/CONCLUDING_COMMENTS/Austria/Austria-CO-6.pdf (22 n. 2009)

35 i36 http://www.aoef.at/cms/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=86&Itemid=83&lang=de (20 ot. 2009; tt Ga)37 f ta : http://www.frauenrechtsschutz.at/Content.Node/uno-frauenrechtskomitee-verurteilt-oesterreich-wegen-mangel.php (22 ot. 2009;

tt Ga); at t a eg :http://www.bka.gv.at/DocView.axd?CobId=29082 and http://www.bka.gv.at/DocView.axd?CobId=29081 (5 n. 2009)

38 Haller/Dawid (2006): Kosten huslicher Gewalt in sterreich. Institut fr Koniktforschung, Vienna 2006:http://www.ikf.ac.at/pdf/kosten.pdf (15 ot. 2009; tt Ga)

39 Qt ag t ha/daw (2006), p. 140 eAPn sa i Wg Gp/hg faz (2009): Pt a iqat t eu. b, p. 1141 bw/At/mf (1989): o t atp tw w atg a a. i: y k./bga m. (.):

ft ppt w a, l42 s, .g., kaa/kg (2006): ha k Gwat. Wa43 h (2004): Pt h Gwat. k a op Gwat. i: k/ma (.): itttat dt Pttag.

ha http://www.praeventionstag.de/nano.cms/de/Dokumentation/Details/XID/60 (29 ot. 2009; tt Ga)44 kaa/kg (2006): ha k Gwat. Wa45 s a: m tt j sag. Wg z t kpat fatz- ktztg. dtat fatagg

29. ma 2008 ftj-na Aa, ig46 h (2004): Pt h Gwat. k a op Gwat. i: k, h.-J.; ma, e. (.): itttat dt

Pttag. stttgat 2004: http://www.praeventionstag.de/nano.cms/de/Dokumentation/Details/XID/60 (29 ot. 2009; tt Ga)47 f t at t qt wt pt pa t t t gat Ttt/vaa (2009): i At awa.

ep b z Atag k Jg t. ittt szg utt W48 s W rpt v agat c, ut nat, 200649 statt Ata (2009): e, At lgg. eg a eu-silc 2007, pp. 63.


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50

lga, ra: v agat wa: st a pta p tgt ep. Pat 200951 bt: Gat rtt nag- Atatgtz (ftpat 2005), fag 14.10.2009: http://ris.bka.gv.at/GeltendeFassung.wxe?Abfrage=Bundesnormen&Gesetzesnummer=20004242 (tt Ga)52 bt: Gat rtt fpzgtz 2005 (ftpat 2005), fag 14.10.2009:

http://www.ris.bka.gv.at/GeltendeFassung.wxe?Abfrage=Bundesnormen&Gesetzesnummer=20004241 (tt Ga)53 bt: Gat rtt Atgggtz, fag 14.10.2009:

http://www.ris.bka.gv.at/GeltendeFassung.wxe?Abfrage=Bundesnormen&Gesetzesnummer=10008365 (tt Ga)54 bt: Gat rtt Agtz 2005 (ftpat 2005), fag 14.10.2009:

http://www.ris.bka.gv.at/GeltendeFassung.wxe?Abfrage=Bundesnormen&Gesetzesnummer=20004240&ShowPrintPreview=True (tt Ga)55 http://www.statistik.at/web_de/statistiken/bevoelkerung/bevoelkerungsstruktur/bevoelkerung_nach_migrationshintergrund/index.html56 http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:32003R0343:EN:HTML57 bt: Gat rtt fpzgtz 2005 (ftpat 2005), fag 22.12.2009:

http://www.ris.bka.gv.at/GeltendeFassung.wxe?Abfrage=Bundesnormen&Gesetzesnummer=20004241 (tt Ga)58 bt: Gat rtt Agtz 2005 (ftpat 2005), fag 22.12.2009:

http://www.ris.bka.gv.at/GeltendeFassung.wxe?Abfrage=Bundesnormen&Gesetzesnummer=20004240 (tt Ga)59 bt: Gat rtt Gggag - At. 15a b-vG, fag 22.12.2009:

http://www.ris.bka.gv.at/GeltendeFassung.wxe?Abfrage=Bundesnormen&Gesetzesnummer=20003460 (tt Ga)60 sos mt: http://www.sos.at/61 www.menschen-leben.at62 www.hemayat.org/info_en.html (eg a t wt)63 http://aspis.uni-klu.ac.at(wt Ga)64 Also in 2008 only 2% of women turning to one of Austrias womens shelters was 61 years or older; see statistics of Austrias womens shelters of 2008:

http://www.aoef.at/aktuell/AOFStatistik2008.pdf (15 ot. 2009; tt Ga)65 i t pt, t t w/g wt at a w/g wt pa a a .66 s ttp://www.t./rechT/wzt200504074.t (15 ot. 2009; tt Ga)67 http://www.who.int/classications/icf/en/ (15 Oct. 2009)68 statt Ata: Az ett a Gt, fata, At, b, Za k At jgt k - Jadurch

schnitt 2008: http://www.statistik.at/web_de/statistiken/bevoelkerung/haushalte_familien_lebensformen/familien/023083.html (23 ot. 2009; tt Ga) f ta eg : http://www.statistik.at/web_en/statistics/population/households_families_living_arrangements/032308.html (2 n. 2009)

69 PA: i At 2/2009 mtggaat itt, va, 11 Agt 2009:http://www.alleinerziehende.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=191&Itemid=40 (23 ot. 2009; tt Ga)



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s 25

1. heAlTh

1.1. HealtH and poverty

hat t t ta at apat a ppt.70 Apart from a persons nancial situation,

at t wt ga t wat ptta a pptt a ata a. T t a

that people who are rich will necessarily be healthy. But one may conclude that people who are poor and ill have to ght

on two fronts at once: for nancial survival and for the restoration of health.

A t a t Ga a aw ta t aa atp tw pt a at. i a

survey (with a return rate of 35.5%) among 666 overindebted people aged between 18 and 79, and 51% of them women,

almost 80% of respondents said that they were suffering from at least one disease, and most frequently, psychological

a w a jt a p p w at. o t t a tat a a, a at

addiction was the main reason for their overindebtedness. Only 21% said that their disease was not related to their debtsituation. In other words, almost 80% regarded their poor nancial situation as a possible reason for falling ill. 71

T t tat pt at a a pata wt ga t w at. W t a

ta w t t a w, a a a pat-t j tat a t t.

i at w, a a t a t a t, a t aag tp pt

a a t j, a a t, w a t t. sg t t a tat t

gt t j w t ta awa w ta a a t t. A t at a tta t

a p pa a pga w-g, a a g-t t. At t a t, t tg at-

care system hardly takes into account the specic problems and needs of women. Women who, in addition, have

p t atp a ag at a at q, a t a,

w a t pt.

1.2. InteractIons between HealtH, poverty and vIolence agaInst women

The Regional Ofce for Europe of the World Health Organization (WHO), in its framework paper on violence against women,

tat tat atg agat w t g pt.72 Awgg t at tat t

a ap a p p at a pqt g a t at agat w.

Ag t t Who, g-t appa t at p w t tat ta pt at

w a tat at p a w a t a a t. A tt, g-t

tag a a a pqt pg t a t p w at.

For Austria no specic studies on violence against women and health are available, but in Germany a representative

t t tat , t at a at w wa aw p.73 i at t t tt agat

w, a at q a t t at-a t w a t tt. T t

w tat t w ag tw 16 a 85 w a a tat atp a pat

p pa a/ a tt t a (-)pat. o t t w

indicated that they had suffered physical and/or sexual violence between 10 times and more than 40 times. 55% of

women experiencing physical violence and 44% of those affected by sexual violence suffered physical injuries. More

than one out of three women (37%) who had physical injuries obtained medical treatment. The study conrms that

pa a a a t pga , a tat a t t

atp t t q a t. dpg t (pga , pa a

violence), between 56% and 83% of the women concerned indicated psychological consequences of various types.


27/96

W a pg t a g at . T at p tat t wa ag a t a pa tat , w a a t pt . ma w pg

a , att, p, , p t a, a at a t wt jt. A a t, t

ta , t, aat, , at, g j, ag a a pat, t. ot, t

t w t a p a tat t a t pat aag at, t a

ata. W at a a t a t qt t j.

st, a t pa t t a a t gt p ( a , tat,

tat p, tgt p, a g gt) a w a pga a ta

pt a , a p. m, a g-t t a t , .g., pt-taat

stress symptoms (nervousness, anxiety, sleeping problems, etc.), depression, lack of self-condence, eating disorders,

-a, , at, t.74

sa , .., a at t w a wa , aga, a aa ptat t

a at a a, g t wat pgap, a w a ata ap at ap. sa

agat w t t a a a ta. At t a t, t t at tat

a a a pa ga a w at t t t t . T q

j t gta a w a t pa j, p a (w) aa pa, tta

p a aa ta; p, taat a pt-taat t pt; wat pga,

, pg , t. T ag pt w, a t w a t

ta.

T at t a tt w t wa g. Apat t pa , t a t

g gt a ta a tatt, w ta g t, .g., a, tatt ,

a ta p t. T a tat w a t apt a t, a at t t

at p, t a t p wt a t t at a w. T a t p ata t a

t t a t, at a ga t pa a t tat w a tata pt t p.

T t at t w p t a t: , pp, pp wt at, t.

The multiple stress and problems that result from negative effects on health often prevent women from nding paid work

a t ag t w . W a pat, t t a t t at w,

a t t t a qt a g j. i at, w at , a

gat t at a pga tat, t t a t p wt t at w, w aga athe risk of being red. When a woman or single mother loses her job for this reason it is usually very difcult to nd

employment elsewhere. The violence they have experienced may lead to trauma and reduce self-condence, which is

t aat wt a ppt.

T q tat a at a pa w-g, a wat pga, t a jt

, tt t t t w a a t t a w a t -tat. i t

wa pptat a t : tatg pw a ag t p a wa a w a t

control over as many spheres of the womans life as possible. This makes it even more difcult for survivors of violence

t t atp wt t pptat, a t pt t atag a tat, w w a

ta ppt w w wat t a t pat, w. i at, tw a a tat a

essential prerequisites for nding adequate work in the labour market of our time. In many enterprises and organisations

the knowhow on domestic violence, the dynamics of violence and its consequences is insufcient. This problem could



28/96

s 27

ta gag tag pga a at t t t, ag p, taptat a p aag.

W a t ppt a t wa, a t at-a t pa

a key role in this respect: these women need immediate, efcient medical help because they can no longer cope with

the acute and long-term consequences of violence. Physicians and other health-care staff or midwives often are the rst

pp t w w pg w t. ma at-a ta pa a wt ga t tg

, pg t t a a ag aaa ata t tp t ta a w a ptg

t .

i w t at-a t a aqat ww t tt a w at

t g atp a a t t pt at p, t w ta

a t t t w a at a t. i t ata a pt a t

identied correctly, patients will not get adequate treatment, and complaints may become chronic. If the primary cause

pt t , a a a p a w. mat g a a at

ag a t t t w . T pa t w w t gt p

at a qa g.75 T t w a gt att t tgat t at a tag pa a

a ta t t agat w a . 76

it tat w at a t t p a a a at pt : a a t at

p a , w a t p ata , a t ptta g pt

a w. eta, t at tat t a t p t a t, ta, pg pat, t pptt t a t w .

1.3. tHe sItuatIon of ImmIgrants affected by vIolence

T ata t at t t Ga w aa a t t tt a t

at, a gat77, w a tat tt pat, a t gat at p

t w at, w pa t ag t T. 78 The study also points to the difcult general

tat gat w. T p at pat gat w Ga pa t at t

their difcult social situation, characterised by signicantly lower levels of education and training as well as income, and

t , a , pata a w a a tgat, a t, a a atp

based on condence, which applies to a considerable part of immigrant women, especially ethnic Turks. 79

T p, aqat g a p tt, wt ag, pa j, t t ()

a, w qt t pt. Ag t a pt cata 80 t t t Ga t

t ag tt a app t Ata: p at a tgat a w a g- w a t

enormous stress and pressure, which brings about very specic types of symptoms. However, many immigrants do

t a tt a t at a. i Ata, pp w a at a a w a t tt

t wa ata a at at-a . T gat gag gt wa

ata ag t p81, but in every province it is particularly difcult for immigrants to obtain these

benets. In Vienna, welfare assistance is granted to immigrants only if they have lived in Austria for at least ve years and

a a pat tt . T, a t at a a p a a wat , a t a gat, ag at a at at.


29/96

For an immigrant with insufcient knowledge of German and a low level of education, in addition to the general languagebarriers, it is also difcult to understand the explanations and instructions of health-care staff. Even when there is a

p w taat (w, t wa, a t pat w apa t pta), t

t t t p. ot, gat a a wg t t t t a at a a a

ttt a t a aa g pt t gat att (.g., a t a ga tt

) a t ta ag t aqat ta t at. fqt, t at-a ta

involved is not sufciently aware of cultural differences to be able to respond appropriately. As a consequence, health

p, a pa pga p, gat a t t, t t, ag.

i at, t t gt t tat g a g t t a , pa t ag t

pa a g a t, a g at a g tat. igat a p

exclusion mechanisms in many elds, which may result in resentment, resignation, ignorance, and time and again, also

ata t. sp att a pat aa tat q a t t a t. T t

pata gat g a a w, apat p wa (a ap t a w),

ata taa, w t at a a tatt pt. ft, t a

a a at a t p a a . i at, g t at t awa

a ata t a a t.

1.4. tHe sItuatIon of women wItH dIsabIlItIes affected by vIolence

W wt pa a at agat tw pt: a w a a p wt at.

ft, tgatg t p a agat w wt at a tg a patadifcult area, a taboo within a taboo, as it was called in the rst world-wide study82 t t. f t a,

one may safely assume that the data and gures obtained so far are but the proverbial tip of the iceberg.83

W wt at a at at (a) t a pata tt. T a t pg

on assistance by others and it may often be difcult for them to realise at what point their boundaries have not been

pt a a tt. A a t tt t at t p t,

wt a g a, t w t, at, at ta . Pptat a ta

aatag t tat. W t t wt pt t pat pp t w t

ta at . W wt pa a pata t at t p.

baa, w wt at a p t a a t w, a ata

a w, t t tat a t ga a a. Ag t a t a t Ataa84

p a ap a t pt a ta a w. o a t tta 700 w

surveyed in the context of the study had experienced three to four forms of violence, and 24% indicated ve forms of

violence. The study also gives gures broken down by type of violence: 72% of women had suffered emotional abuse,

55% had experience of social abuse, 58% indicated physical violence and 46%, nancial abuse. 43% said that they had

p tt t a pat.

Physical violence against women with disabilities, in addition to inicting physical pain, also includes denying them

at, tatt a. sa 85 a ta t tat a at a a t a

. A a a a tat t a t a tat p. T t Ataaa pt t tat t at tat (a, ata, t.) a w a g a pag t

ag t t t a t a ttt a a g.



30/96

s 29

Wat a t t tt t at tat a a at, .., a at a tat. o t a, p a tat t pp tat a a t pga

problems. On the other hand it is very difcult in the case of patients with special needs to attribute complaints to

, a, ta, p a aggaat ta pt.

T at tat a t :

tt a at t tat p (t gw wt p);

p (a at p, ptt ag, a at, t.);

g t t (t t p tat w wt at a ga ga a aa);

ajtt (a a q, a w wt at a t a t a ; t a t t at tat

t pa t pt a ptt, a at, a ttt t p t t a

aa);86

at (t t at a t t a a at a a pj);

lack of awareness of ones own body (because women with disabilities have learned to dene themselves primarily by

their decits and are often reduced to objects of study);

tat87 (t a pata t aa a pptat a a t tat w wt

pa ).

eta, t a w wt pa at t gt apppat ppt: g t

pp wt pa a t a t g-at apt t g w, a w

g t a a a ww at w wt at. it a t

tat w t a ag t at w wt pa t ptt t ,t t a w t Ata a t qpt t g a t aqat a. i

at, t ajt t a t ta t p apppat a t wt at.

T a app t w w g a w.

1.5. tHe sItuatIon of older women affected by vIolence

T gp w 50 tg, t t w a tg : t a a t

a a t a t wt t t agg. Aga, a t a a ta, a a

this eld leaves much to be desired.

Ag t Ata pt w at 200588, aatag a aatg ag ta gp

pp, a a a , w a gat aatag ta . A ta apt aa ag a

agg tat t a a g : t gat t a q a ag, pa t

tta ag tat a at t ag, a at ag w a t pt , ag , t

pt a, a t t, , t tat w t a tat ta

t tat , a g-at pat tat a t t a tag a t ag

a t gt ag p ag. T ata ta ata tat, tp , g

t, at, a wat, at a a w tat w, agg g at

greater risks with regard to both nancial, social and health aspects than for men.

Older women with experience of violence are denitely disadvantaged. In addition to the general aspects of ageing theya a t a t q t . e w t taa t p t pa a g

t ag, t ag p a t t pt. i a a, t w w


31/96

. ma t a t pa tatt a g t t a t a tatt ta t pat.

T pt a pa t pta ag t w ag. f t w a ,

g at ag t jt a qt pa a pga at, t t a p, ta

p tat, apat at patt a a g w, a pa p a t

wa g. W w a p , w, a t pat a at t

() pat, w a tt t p. statg t gt t t ag

(.g., at t paat a t pat), a taa ag w w ()

pat pt t a tat gat at.

i a t t t Ga fa mt fa Aa, s ctz, W a yt 89 t

a ag a tgat. o t at wg tat w t p t

a ga gg w ag, at t a t t p w a w , w a

conrmed by a study from Australia that is cited in the German study: many older women learn only in the last third of

t t tat t ga a a apta. i t p w t w pt t

, a a t gatt pat at, g t wa a p

a pat t a t a t ajt. T t a t a apta t

, a w a t g tat w a t a t w t a t wg

tat a paat w a a aatag. i at, t att apt t ta: a w tw

for the survey who had separated from their partners only in old age said that this had brought about nancial losses

tat t pat a , a t qt a p a at.

90

T ta t tat tat a t ata : tpa at p pptt pt

a w; t tata w aag a a atg ; t t a a t aw

w a a at a w w w t g pt; t w tat w g paat

from their partners; and insufcient support structures for older victims of violence.

T t t at ata a tata ag at t apt tat t a

frequency of violence in the private sphere and in partnerships signicantly go down with rising age. Still, violence is also

p a ag, a at pp w t at t agat tat

protect themselves against violence as efciently as younger people. Relationships of older people that are affected by

a patp w w a a a tata pp, at

and physically attacked over long periods, and it is very difcult to nd a way out of a relationship of chronic violence andt gt p.91 It is also mentioned that this area of research is still at its initial stage and that the specics of the situation

(w) t a t t ta t at t t tt tat w apppat. Wat

pa a t ta a ttt t aa agg, a a t /

atp, w t at tat tw pat a a t tt a

at home and that this has specic dynamics, settings and possibilities for action.92

i Ata, t p t a t t t tt t dap pjt bag t Ta. i

wt a ga t, t pata p t t a at a a ta t at.

T ata GGP pt pt a wat Ata a a tt 93: 2006, a tta 334

162 people received federal benets for paying nursing care, and around two thirds of them were women. Nursing care

benets are granted in order to make available the nancial means that are needed to pay for care staff, social service

provision and nursing institutions. However, the GGP report unmistakably shows that these public benets usually



32/96

s 31

a t g t t ata p tat a t pa ata a a, t t ajt a t ta at, pa w, a t pa a a p ttt

pag -ag .94 T a t pt a a a t tt twa t

of care, cruelty and sometimes open violence. This has also been conrmed in the documentation of the Breaking

t Ta . A pata p t tt tat t tw wt, a ga a t, pp

g g a a p ta tt , a a a t t t ag

w .95 o pt : t p w t p a a t g a

a a a atp aa t pat, .., t t p a . i

services are performed merely for nancial reasons, this involves a very high risk of violence.96

Atg a ga t t gt t t pp pg , t pata app

t a agat w. T gap a, pat, a t t Ga.97 ha

pg, t w tat w ag 60 a t gt a t p pt

ta g w. T pata p wt ga t at a . i

at, t p t a w tatg ppt ag. hw, t

t a t at: t tw tat w t tt t t w tat a

atp t tt at wt pa a

the poverty risks of women affected by violence and their children

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