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Sexual harassment in Murau is governed by Austrian federal law and enforced locally by Murau authorities. The term covers unwanted conduct of a sexual nature that violates a person -s dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment. That can include unwelcome touching, sexual comments or jokes, coercive behaviour, indecent exposure, stalking, and certain forms of online harassment. Criminal offences, workplace protections and civil remedies are all potentially relevant. If an incident occurred in Murau - whether at work, in public, online or in a private setting - you can seek help through the local police, prosecutors and courts, and through labour and equal treatment bodies for workplace cases.
A lawyer can help you make informed decisions, protect your rights and navigate complex procedures. Common situations that require legal assistance include:
- Filing a criminal complaint with the police and ensuring evidence is properly preserved and presented to the prosecutor.
- Applying for protective measures such as a restraining order or eviction of the alleged perpetrator from a shared home.
- Bringing a civil claim for damages for emotional harm or loss of earnings.
- Starting or responding to workplace proceedings - for example grievances, disciplinary hearings, or claims under the Equal Treatment Act.
- Negotiating settlements or protective agreements with an employer or other institutions.
- Accessing victim compensation or public financial support, and applying for legal aid if you cannot afford a lawyer.
- Ensuring your privacy, dealing with media attention or online harassment, and safeguarding minors who may be involved.
Several areas of law are commonly relevant to sexual harassment cases in Murau:
- Criminal law: Sexual assault, coercion, stalking and other sexual offences are covered by the Austrian Criminal Code. The police investigate complaints and the public prosecutor - Staatsanwaltschaft - decides on charges. Murau police and the local prosecutor open preliminary investigations; more serious cases may be tried at regional courts in Graz.
- Equal Treatment and employment law: The Austrian Equal Treatment Act prohibits sexual harassment at work. Employers have a duty to protect employees, implement prevention measures and establish complaint procedures. Victims can pursue claims through internal employer procedures, labour courts or equality bodies.
- Protection against violence and emergency measures: Austrian law allows victims to seek urgent protective measures to prevent contact or to remove an aggressor from a shared residence. Local courts and police can take immediate steps in dangerous situations.
- Civil remedies: Victims may bring civil claims for damages for pain and suffering, loss of income or other consequences. Civil procedures run separately from criminal prosecutions and have different rules and time limits.
- Victim support and compensation: Austria provides victim-support services and may offer compensation or financial assistance to victims of violent crimes. Local victim-support services and social authorities in Styria can guide you through applications.
Local institutions you may interact with in Murau include the district police, Bezirksgericht Murau for some court matters, and regional courts and prosecutors in Graz. For workplace disputes you may also use labour courts and equality authorities. Time limits, evidentiary standards and procedural steps differ between criminal, civil and administrative routes, so professional advice is important.
Sexual harassment includes any unwanted behaviour of a sexual nature that violates a person -s dignity or creates a hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment. Examples are unwelcome touching, sexual comments, suggestive messages, persistent advances, indecent exposure, sexualised bullying and certain stalking or online behaviours. Whether behaviour crosses the legal threshold depends on context, frequency and its effect on the victim.
There is no single rule - both steps are possible and can run in parallel. If you feel physically threatened or in danger, contact the police immediately. For workplace harassment, you should also use your employer -s internal complaint channels while considering whether to file a criminal complaint. A lawyer or a victim-support service can help you decide the best order of actions for your case.
Urgent protective measures can be requested through the police or the court. The police can issue immediate temporary measures in dangerous situations, and the court can order longer-term restrictions such as no-contact orders or eviction of an aggressor from a shared residence. A lawyer or victim-support organisation can help you file the necessary applications and prepare supporting evidence.
Formal criminal complaints normally require your identity because police and prosecutors need to investigate and may need to contact you. You can, however, seek initial confidential advice from victim-support services and discuss options before deciding whether to file a complaint. In some circumstances the authorities can proceed with investigations even if a victim prefers not to pursue charges, but this varies by case.
Collect any evidence that can corroborate your account: photos of injuries or locations, screenshots of messages or social media posts, call logs, medical records and notes of dates, times and witnesses. If you were physically injured, get a medical examination as soon as possible and ask for written documentation. Keep original items in a safe place and provide copies to your lawyer or the police.
Time limits vary by the type of action. Criminal offences have statutory limitation periods that depend on severity. Civil claims, labour complaints and administrative proceedings each have their own deadlines. There can also be urgent remedies with immediate effect. Because time limits are important, consult a lawyer or victim-support organisation promptly.
Yes - employers have a legal duty to protect staff from harassment. If an employer failed to take appropriate steps to prevent or stop harassment, you may have claims for damages and can pursue remedies under the Equal Treatment Act or in labour courts. Employers are generally required to provide complaint procedures and to investigate allegations.
The courts and authorities take victim privacy seriously, and certain protective rules apply, especially when minors are involved. However, some information may become part of official records or be disclosed in court proceedings. You should discuss confidentiality concerns with your lawyer and ask about measures to protect your identity where possible.
Yes, Austria offers legal aid and financial support mechanisms for those who cannot afford a lawyer. There are also free or low-cost counselling services through local victim-support organisations, workers - unions, the Chamber of Labour - Arbeiterkammer, and women -s counselling centres. A lawyer can help you apply for legal aid if you qualify.
Special rules and protections often apply when the alleged perpetrator is a minor or when the parties are family members. Child protection authorities, family courts and social services may become involved. If you are in a family situation, you can seek urgent protective measures and specialised advice from family law practitioners and social services in Styria.
Below are local and national resources you can contact for help and information in Murau and in Styria:
- Regional police station - Bezirks-Polizeidienststelle Murau.
- Bezirksgericht Murau and regional courts in Graz for judicial matters.
- Staatsanwaltschaft Graz for criminal prosecutions.
- Equal Treatment Authority - Gleichbehandlungsstellen and bodies enforcing the Equal Treatment Act.
- Arbeiterkammer Steiermark - advice for employees and workplace disputes.
- Opferhilfe Steiermark - victim support services in Styria.
- Frauenberatungsstellen and regional women -s shelters in Styria for counselling and emergency accommodation.
- Weisser Ring - assistance for victims of crime.
- Legal aid services and Rechtsanwaltskammer for lawyer referrals and information on Verfahrenshilfe.
- Social services at the Bezirkshauptmannschaft Murau for local social support.
If you need legal assistance for sexual harassment, consider the following steps:
- Ensure your immediate safety - remove yourself from danger and contact the police if you are at risk.
- Preserve evidence - keep messages, take photos, and write a detailed record of events while memories are fresh.
- Seek medical attention if needed and ask for documentation of injuries or examinations.
- Contact local victim-support services for emotional support, practical help and information about procedures.
- Consider reporting to the police - a lawyer or victim-support worker can help you with the process.
- If the incident occurred at work, use your employer -s complaint procedures and consider notifying the works council or trade union.
- Consult a lawyer with experience in sexual harassment, criminal law or employment law to discuss criminal complaints, protective measures, civil claims and deadlines.
- If you cannot afford a lawyer, ask about legal aid, free counselling services and referrals through Arbeiterkammer or local victim-support organisations.
- Keep a support network - friends, family, counsellors and local organisations can help you through legal procedures and recovery.
Taking action can feel difficult. You do not have to handle this alone - local authorities, specialised services and experienced lawyers in Murau and Styria can guide you through your options and help protect your rights.
