Austria's failure to protect women from violent partners exposed by landmark ruling
A landmark ruling by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has exposed critical gaps in how Austria protects women from violent partners. In April 2025, the court found that Swiss authorities failed to shield Nicole Dill from a near-fatal attack by her ex-partner—a man with a known history of extreme violence. The case has reignited calls for urgent reforms in Austria, where similar systemic failures leave women at risk.
At the heart of the issue is the lack of access to criminal records and psychiatric evaluations, even when clear warning signs emerge. Without this information, women may remain unaware of their partner's dangerous past, and authorities often miss chances to intervene before tragedy strikes.
Nicole Dill survived a brutal attempted femicide by her former partner, who had previously been convicted of rape and murder. Despite this violent history, Swiss authorities did not take adequate steps to warn or protect her. The ECtHR ruled that officials should have recognised her vulnerability and acted sooner.
In Austria, a comparable problem persists. Under the Security Police Act (§22(4) SPG), individuals must be notified if there is a reasonable suspicion of an imminent attack. Yet, women often lack the legal right to access a partner's criminal record or medical files—even when red flags appear. Maria Rösslhumer, former director of the Autonomous Austrian Women's Shelters, has long pushed for stricter risk assessments and for women to be actively involved in safety planning.
The ECtHR's judgment highlighted that Austrian authorities had a psychological report warning of Dill's attacker's high risk of violence, especially if a separation occurred. But this critical information was not shared with her. Experts argue that without full transparency, women cannot make informed decisions about their safety, and authorities may fail to issue necessary protections.
As of February 2026, no official reforms have been introduced in Austria to address these gaps. The government has not publicly responded to the ECtHR's findings or proposed changes to improve access to criminal or psychiatric records.
The ECtHR's ruling underscores the need for Austria to reform its laws and ensure women can access vital information about a partner's violent past. Without these changes, the cycle of violence is likely to continue, leaving women unprotected despite existing legal obligations. The case also raises questions about whether authorities will take decisive action—or if further tragedies will be needed before reforms are implemented.
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