January Update from WEISSER RING Austria

Moving Pictures

The aim of the movieHELP project is to provide victims with comprehensible information. The Federal Criminal Police Office and the victim support organisation WEISSER RING jointly produced four explanatory videos on the subject of “Anyone can become a victim – no one should remain a victim”. 

The status of victims’ rights in Austria is quite excellent. However, far too few people claim their rights. The Federal Criminal Police Office and WEISSER RING are now taking joint action against the lack of information – in innovative ways. “Young people already think Google is old-fashioned. Research is done on Youtube”, says Dina Nachbaur, CEO of WEISSER RING. This gave birth to the idea of conveying information through moving images. Whether film, television or Netflix, videos are well received by everyone. Four explanatory videos were produced as part of the “movieHELP” project and are now available online: the first one shows implications for those affected by crimes, while the second explains essential victims’ rights. The third video presents support options and the fourth provides information in Austrian Sign Language.

Dina Nachbaur (WEISSER RING) and Raimund Krendl (Bundeskriminalamt) presented the four explanatory videos together/ Photo BMI / Armin Halm

The police inform victims about their rights and where they can quickly find the right support. But often the information does not reach the victims. The reason for this is that new information cannot really be processed well in exceptional situations. The best education will not help, if those affected are traumatised and in shock. The videos, however, can be watched again and again. They encourage people to seek support and show where they can be found. One cannot explain the world in one minute. But there are first useful contact points, for example the victim emergency hotline 0800 112 112, where someone listens and provides further information.

All people who have been victims of a crime can call the victim emergency number 0800 112 112 for advice.

The project was implemented together with the communication experts from VerVieVas. All four videos have been tested by capito and are received the “Easy Reading” seal of approval for comprehensibility level B1, i.e. suitable for people with reading and learning difficulties, non-German as their first language. The video “Nach einem Verbrechen – was tun?” also is available in an Austrian Sign Language-version.

All videos can be watched on the YouTube channel of the WEISSER RING Austria as well as on the websites www.opfer-notruf.at and www.weisser-ring.at

Who helps after a crime? The police will tell you.