(Vienna, 25 November 2025) Between 25 November and 10 December, the UN campaign "Orange the World" will raise awareness of violence against women worldwide. During this period, prominent buildings will be bathed in orange light to highlight the fact that gender-based violence is a problem affecting society as a whole, which can only be tackled with consistent zero tolerance. At the same time, the aim is to raise awareness of the urgent need to protect victims. The Medical University of Vienna and the University Hospital Vienna are participating in the campaign again in 2025.
The figures show that there is still a great need for action. By the end of October 2025, 13 femicides and 25 serious acts of violence against women had been recorded in Austria. In the majority of cases, there is a family or partnership relationship between the perpetrator and the victim. One in three women is affected by physical and/or sexual violence from the age of 15, over a quarter experience sexual harassment in the workplace and more than 20 per cent are affected by stalking.
As Austria's largest hospital and a central training centre for healthcare professions, MedUni Vienna and University Hospital Vienna have a special responsibility when it comes to dealing with victims of violence. One of the most important innovations is the MedUni Vienna's examination centre for victims of violence, which has been in operation since the beginning of the year. The facility offers clinical forensic examinations, photo documentation and evidence collection in accordance with the latest standards – free of charge, for all ages and genders, and regardless of whether a complaint has been filed. Evidence and findings are stored for up to ten years so that they can be used later in criminal proceedings. In addition, victims receive information on victim support services, psychological support and legal advice. Doctors can take advantage of expert advice on forensic issues by telephone. A podcast episode with Katharina Stolz, head of the examination centre, provides in-depth insights into the work of the facility.
Podcast featuring Katharina Stolz
Downloads relating to the services provided by the examination centre
Violence prevention is also actively promoted within the organisations. The Teaching Center offers the course "Sensitive approaches to teaching about violence in healthcare" as part of the MLW certificate programme, which teaches skills for dealing professionally with patients who have experienced violence. The course also addresses the fact that healthcare workers themselves may experience or be exposed to violence.
Since 2024, the MedUni Vienna Discrimination Reporting Office has been offering a confidential point of contact for employees and students who are affected by sexual harassment, violence, bullying or discrimination at the university.
As part of Orange the World, the online lecture "Who gets to feel safe? Who gets to speak up?" with Bontu Lucie Guschke will take place on 27 November 2025. The lecture deals with sexism and sexual harassment in a university context from an intersectional perspective and highlights the interplay with racism. Josephine Apraku will moderate the event.
Since 2010, the University Hospital Vienna and MedUni Vienna have had a hospital-wide victim protection group that raises awareness of violence in outpatient clinics and wards and supports affected patients. Hospitals are often among the first places where violence becomes visible and therefore play a central role in recognising, addressing and documenting injuries – supported by training courses organised by the University Hospital Vienna, including Victim Protection Day, training on violence against vulnerable adults and the annual Child Protection Day.
Advanced training course on victim protection, November 26, 2025
„Who gets to feel safe? Who gets to speak up?“ featuring Bontu Lucie Guschke, 27.11.2025 (1:00 pm)
Advanced training course on violence against vulnerable adults, November 27, 2025
Advanced training course on Child Protection Day, November 28, 2025