• Neighbours are being encouraged to take action in an emergency
• Notices in BUWOG properties are meant to sensitise residents; that’s because happy living means living violence-free
• Cooperation with the organisation StoP – Neighbourhoods Without Partner Violence

Domestic violence often occurs in secret, behind closed doors, where at first glance it looks as if all is okay. But behind the scenes, people can suffer without anyone realising it. This makes it all the more important to be sensitive to the signs of domestic violence, to demonstrate civil courage and to offer support to those affected in order to get out of this dangerous situation. That’s because everyone deserves a home that is safe and free of violence.

For this reason, BUWOG, in its role as manager of nearly 32,000 existing apartments, has decided to draw attention to the issue where domestic violence generally occurs – at the place of residence, in the neighbourhood. On the theme of “Look – don’t look away”, BUWOG has recently begun pointing to the issue in all of its existing properties in Austria with specific notices.

“BUWOG has always stood for happy living – and happy living also means living free of violence. We view it as part of our responsibility to sensitise our customers to this effect while simultaneously offering recommendations for action and further information,” says Kevin Töpfer, managing director of BUWOG Group GmbH. The posters communicate possible warning signs of domestic violence, but also provide tips on how to safely intervene in an emergency. Contacts on the posters to helplines and service centres for women, men, children and young people are particularly important.

The notices were created in collaboration with the organisation StoP – Neighbourhoods Without Partner Violence. StoP shows what everyone can do to prevent domestic violence, partner violence and femicide. The aim of the violence prevention project is to facilitate awareness, especially among neighbours, of the issue of domestic/partner violence and to strengthen cohesion in society. By calling attention to options for action and support, StoP helps identify and interrupt violence in the neighbourhood at an early stage.