SPAR Austria is launching an initiative on the International Day against Violence against Women which will run for sixteen days. As part of this 16 Days Against Violence campaign, SPAR will draw attention across Austria to national and regional offers of help for those affected by violence for the third consecutive year.

By displaying a helpline number on SPAR Austria’s checkout slips from 25 November to 10 December, many customers will have easy access to vital information. Through this, helpline numbers and information on violence protection will be easily available at the many SPAR store locations across the country. So far in 2023^[2], 25 femicides and 40 attempted murders or serious violence against women were committed.

Wide consumer reach

With over one million cash vouchers issued each day, SPAR Austria can reach a large number of customers. The helplines and information will be visible both in printed form and digitally in the SPAR app at the end of the checkout. The Association of Autonomous Women’s Shelters Austria and regional cooperation partners can rapidly help and support.

“Appreciation and respect are important values in our corporate culture. At SPAR, any form of violence has no place. It is unfortunate that violence is still so prevalent in many areas of our society. As the largest private Austrian employer, we use the opportunity to point out these negative social developments and draw attention to the issue of protection against violence. Since 2019, we have been supporting organisations so that those affected by violence can quickly and easily receive information about contact points and support,” says SPAR Austria Deputy Chairman KR Hans K. Reisch.

Every third woman affected

According to a survey by Statistics Austria^[1] one in three women in Austria between the ages of 18 and 74 are affected by physical and/or sexual violence within or outside of intimate relationships. The Association confirmed that violence against women has reached alarming levels and some live in high-risk situations or have to fear for their lives. This makes women’s shelters in which those affected can stay when essential all the more important. The Association is the umbrella organisation of 16 autonomous women’s shelters in Austria and operates the Austrian women’s helpline, which is free, anonymous and available around the clock on 0800-222555.

Source: SPAR Austria

^[1] Statistics Austria, 2021, study on violence against women, online: One in three women affected by violence (statistics.at).
^[2] AÖF, as of November 8, 2023, online: AÖF – Figures & Data (aoef.at)

Read more about SPAR Austria.

About SPAR Austria

The origins of SPAR in Austria date back to 1954, but the current SPAR AG was created in 1970 when the original founding families joined other regional wholesalers to form SPAR Austria AG – a 100% privately owned Austrian company. With licences granted by SPAR International, ASPIAG (Austria SPAR International AG) has developed the brand in Slovenia, Hungary, Croatia, and Northern Italy.