Victims of Crime Assistance

Organizations specialized in psycho-social counselling and legal assistance

Weisser Ring
Dr. Udo Jesionek (President)
Mag. Marianne Gammer (Federal Office Director)
Nußdorfer Str. 67/7
1090 Vienna
Tel.: 712-14-05, 07114/200155 (Austria only)
Fax: 718-83-74
E-mail: office@weisser-ring.at

Women's Helpline
1050 Vienna
Tel.: 0800-222555
E-mail: frauenhelpline@aoef.at

In Austria general social assistance is available to foreign nationals, but special financial compensation for victims of crime paid by the State is limited to nationals of the European Economic Area (EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway).

The Weisser Ring is an independent, non-profit organization that provides assistance to victims of crime throughout Austria. Assistance ranges from counseling to financial compensation, which is means-tested and subject to special authorization by a review board. The Weisser Ring acts also as an interface with other private organizations that cater to specific victim groups.

Eligibility Requirements

Report to police: Yes.
Filing period: approx. 12 months from the month in which the crime occurred.

Claimants

Victims of crime irrespective of age, gender, nationality, types of crime (with the exception of victims of traffic accidents who may be able to get compensation from another source, i.e., Kuratorium für Verkehrssicherheit, Rotes Dreieck).

Procedures

The applicant files a claim with the Weisser Ring (either in writing or in person).
 
It is required that the applicant provides personal data (name, phone number and address, date of birth, marital status, number of children), details of the crime (including case number of police report), as well as information on income. If available, copy of court decisions and other relevant legal material should be submitted.

Benefits & Award Limits

There is no official maximum award limit. Compensation is awarded on a case-by-case basis, depending on the severity of the damage and the person's income (authorization by a panel of 3 to 6 board members is mandatory).

Compensable Costs

Victims may be compensated for all kinds of expenses, but there is no legal entitlement to compensation. Financial compensation may be granted on a case-by-case basis, subject to a means-test and special authorization.

Emergency Awards

Emergency compensation awards are granted in cases of special emergency.

Funding Sources

The program is funded through membership fees and sponsorship. Government funding is assigned for special purposes (e.g. legal aid and administration).