Abduction in Bruck-Mürzzuschlag: Styrian violence protection centre supported over 3,000 people in 2025
Following the abduction of a 37-year-old woman by her ex-boyfriend, Styrian violence protection centres have come under scrutiny. Chief executive Marina Sorgo explains why many victims remain silent for too long.
Abduction case in Styria highlights violence protection services
The violent abduction of a 37-year-old woman in Bruck-Mürzzuschlag has sparked discussions in the region and brought the work of Styrian violence protection centres into focus. According to Kleine Zeitung, the woman was threatened with a knife, beaten, and dragged into a car by her 38-year-old ex-boyfriend. According to police, the couple had been in an on-and-off relationship for several years; jealousy is believed to have been the motive.
An all-points alert led to the arrest of the man in the Fölzklamm area. He has since been remanded in custody.
3,194 victims supported in Styria
The case is not an isolated incident. Statistics suggest that approximately one in three women in Austria experiences physical or sexual violence at some point in their lives, regardless of age, origin, or religion. The Styrian Violence Protection Centre, which also operates a branch office in Bruck-Mürzzuschlag, supported 3,194 people in 2025 to date, of whom 233 were in the Bruck-Mürzzuschlag district. Across Styria, 1,555 restraining and approach-ban orders were issued, 146 of them in the district.
"In principle, we are responsible for all people, but 80 per cent of those we support are female," says chief executive Marina Sorgo. She does not wish to comment on the current abduction case.
"Many feel guilty"
Sorgo expressed concern about a recurring pattern: among women murdered in recent years, only a few had previously sought contact with police or a violence protection centre. "Many people unfortunately have feelings of shame in connection with violence, feel guilty, or have the feeling that nobody can help them," she explains.
However, it does not have to come to physical violence before people seek help. "As soon as women are afraid of their partners, are humiliated or demeaned, lose their sense of self-worth, unhealthy jealousy is involved, or they can no longer lead an independent life, they should get in touch," says Sorgo. She emphasises: "People can also contact us anonymously. We do nothing without people's consent."
Half of those affected also approach the centre of their own accord – without prior police contact. "After a restraining and approach-ban order is issued, we contact those affected, but half of people come to us of their own accord without police involvement," Sorgo explains.
Psychosocial and legal support
The Violence Protection Centre offers a broad range of assistance: half of its staff are lawyers and the other half are social workers. Legal accompaniment is offered during criminal proceedings.
The centre works closely with police and other organisations. Sorgo highlights security police case conferences as a particularly effective tool in high-risk cases – for instance when legal options for detention are unavailable. All parties involved sit down together at the table. "It's like a puzzle. Each person can contribute something to safety, it would not work without cooperation," she says.
Availability and support services
The Styrian violence protection centres can be reached at eight locations by phone at +43 0316 77 41 99 or by SMS at +43 8282 709 92 93 33. Victims can approach the centres even if they do not file a report.
Other points of contact: - Women's helpline against violence: 0800 / 222 555 (free of charge, round the clock) - Men's emergency helpline: 05 76 77 (free of charge, round the clock) - Men's information crisis helpline: 0800 400 777 (free of charge, round the clock) - Violence protection centres throughout Austria: 0800 / 700 217 - Police emergency: 133
Source: Kleine Zeitung