A man is imprisoning his wife - AMS organization wants to cut her alimony.
A horrific case of domestic violence in Holabrun, Lower Bavaria, revealed the suffering of Doris A. (name changed). The woman reported to the counseling center "Women for Women" that she had been subjected to long-term physical and psychological violence by her husband, as evidenced by multiple bruises on her hips, arms, and legs.
A woman in her early forties is almost not allowed to leave the house alone, as her husband accompanies her to all appointments, including those at the Arbeitsmarktservice (AMS, Employment Service). As a result, Doris has repeatedly missed important job interviews, and now the AMS is threatening to reduce her benefits, claiming she is not cooperating.
Due to her fear for her 11-year-old daughter and the fear of escalating violence, Doris did not separate from her husband until recently. She received unexpected help from a supermarket employee who witnessed her husband's verbal abuse and humiliation, intervened, and took Doris to the counseling center 'Women for Women'.
Doris explained that she wanted to move to one of the center's shelters in the Weinviertel area, but all ten apartments were occupied. Since she did not want to file a complaint against her husband, the center coordinated a security plan and discussed alternative steps to protect her, especially since her husband controls her mobile phone and limits her communication with others.
Manuela Kräuter, the executive director of the "Women for Women" center, confirmed that Doris's case is not unique, as many women in Lower Bavaria suffer from abuse, often without reporting it. The center provides specialized support for women and girls, including psychological and social counseling, safety planning, legal guidance, and assistance in obtaining shelter housing in Mistelbach, Hollabrunn, and Stockerau.