Violence knows no age or place – FERNFH sends a clear message to raise awareness

On December 3, 2025, FERNFH sent a strong message against violence with a panel discussion: Violence affects people of all ages and everywhere—in private life, in institutions, and in the workplace. Experts from the fields of nursing, human resources, and violence prevention powerfully demonstrated the diverse forms violence can take and why it is essential for us all to pay attention.

On December 3, 2025, an event was held at FERNFH as part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. The panel discussion, titled “Violence Knows No Age or Place: Three Women—Three Perspectives—One Conversation,” was organized by the FERNFH Committee on Equality, Gender, and Diversity and the FERNFH Alumni Network.

Recognizing Violence: Perspectives from the Fields of Nursing and the Workplace

Christina Löffler, a graduate of the bachelor’s program in Aging Services Management and a case and care manager in the State of Styria’s nursing care administration, provided the initial impetus. She highlighted how invisible violence against older women is in our society. Often, violence is not explicitly stated but manifests itself through subtle changes in behavior or hints from third parties. Löffler emphasized the importance of sensitive communication, building trust, and close collaboration between care providers, the healthcare system, government agencies, and domestic violence shelters. Her conclusion: “If we don’t make violence visible, it officially doesn’t exist.”

Following this, Katharina Bauer, serving as moderator, presented key findings from Stefanie Kapeller’s master’s thesis in Business Administration & Business Psychology. The thesis examines psychological violence in the workplace from the perspective of managers and HR professionals. It becomes clear that bullying, discrimination, stalking, and sexual harassment are present in many organizations, while clear responsibilities, guidelines, and prevention mechanisms are often lacking. The alumna’s master’s thesis demonstrates that a corporate culture that consistently does not tolerate such abuse is crucial.

Social Dynamics—and Why We All Need Protection from Violence

Expert Elisabeth Cinatl, executive director of the Wendepunkt association and a systemic psychotherapist, placed the preceding presentations in a social context. She highlighted how gender roles, financial dependencies, myths about violence, and perpetrator strategies make it difficult to recognize and report violence.
“Violence in public spaces is not just a nighttime issue,” Cinatl emphasized; it occurs everywhere and affects women of all ages and walks of life. She particularly highlighted the psychological consequences, such as constant vigilance, loss of control, or anxiety and depression among women affected by violence. She made it clear that violence is not a purely private issue, but rather a societal one. With her closing words,“Protection against violence needs all of us,”she reaffirmed that protection against violence requires collective action.

The ensuing discussion highlighted just how broad the issue of violence is—ranging from prevention efforts targeting men to possible courses of action for HR managers, the definition of psychological violence, and the protection of professionals in social work and caregiving fields. It became clear that both individual awareness and structural measures are needed to protect people from violence or help them escape violent situations.

The event concluded with a statement that aptly summed up the essence of the evening: “We need people who pay attention, and a system that provides support and doesn’t look the other way.”

Did you miss the event?

You can watch the presentations in the video below. Be part of the change!

---

---

Collaboration Partner

---

Organizers