Endured harassment, pursued relentlessly, intimidated: A stalkee recounts their ordeal
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Every time she sees a Porsche, her heart races and she scans her environment for a familiar face. Is he here?
When Sarah M.* talks about the creep who's been stalking her, she speaks calmly and matter-of-fact.
Stalker was lurking outside her apartment: "Wanted to know if she's causing a fuss" She met Christoph P.* in a bar in Vienna four years ago through mutual acquaintances. "We got along fine and did things together. But eventually, he admitted he had feelings for me," the young woman remembers.
They shared a kiss, but for her, it was like "kissing a wall, there was no spark". She communicated this to him.
Luxury Gifts and Constant Evasion
"He then wanted to be friends, but kept trying to move things in a more romantic direction the following year," says Sarah M.
He showered her with lavish gifts, including two sports cars, a flashy Rolex, and designer handbags. She rejected every single item.
He also wanted to see her all the time. "I either briefly replied that he should leave me alone, or I ignored him."
Obsessive lover in Vienna: "Can't take no for an answer" Christoph P. wouldn't give up. They ran into each other in a Swiss hotel lobby.
"He faked his own death"
"I never told him I was in Switzerland - and certainly not which hotel I was staying at," the 27-year-old says.
Despite her already feeling terrified of him, she hid it from him. "He also fabricated an accident and sent me a photo of himself with a supposedly broken nose and a bandage on his forehead. Another time, he pretended to be dead."
Someone created fake accounts and sent her threatening messages. They also produced pornographic deepfake images of her and distributed them to her friends and loved ones.
In 2024, the 27-year-old decided to go to the police. She was one of 1,570 people who filed a complaint for "relentless harassment" (colloquially, stalking) last year. The clearance rate was relatively high at 93.6%.
After Sarah M. reported Christoph P., a restraining order was issued. The harassment then shifted to social media. "Someone created fake accounts and sent me intimidating messages. From those profiles, someone also created the pornographic deepfake images of me and distributed them to my friends and family," says Sarah M.
By this point, she was dealing with depression and panic attacks and required medication.
Criminal Law Limitations
"The accounts appear on social media anonymously. One account even threatened to leak an illegally recorded conversation between Christoph and I," Sarah M. laments the difficulty of defending against the taunts.
Her lawyer, Philipp Springer, is now pursuing a civil lawsuit against the revenge porn. "Criminally, by Austrian law, we've hit a wall here, as Austria hasn't yet implemented the EU directive to combat violence against women, and deepfakes aren't yet illegal," the lawyer explains.
Victims of violence in Austria can find help at:
- The Women's Helpline: 0800-222-555, www.frauenhelpline.at
- The Association of Autonomous Austrian Women's Houses (AOEF): www.aoef.at
- The Vienna Domestic Violence Center: 01-5853288, www.gewaltschutzzentrum.at/wien
- The 24-hour Women's Emergency Hotline of the City of Vienna: 01-71719
- The Austrian Domestic Violence Centers: 0800-700-217
- The police emergency number: 133
- The smartphone app "Silent Emergency"
*Names have been changed
Austria’s Legislation on Stalking and Revenge Porn
Austria has laws that make stalking and revenge porn illegal. Stalking is typically classified under § 107 of the Austrian Criminal Code, which addresses psychological harassment and stalking behaviors. The legal system in Austria is focused on protecting victims' rights and ensuring that perpetrators face appropriate consequences for their actions. Revenge porn, or the distribution of intimate images without consent, is also outlawed in Austria, with laws addressing privacy and data protection.
Although recent developments in Austrian stalking or revenge porn laws aren't specified in the article, it's noteworthy that many countries, including those in the European Union, are consistently updating their laws to better safeguard victims of stalking and harassment. These updates usually aim to strengthen penalties and improve victim support mechanisms. It's recommended to consult recent Austrian legal updates or government announcements for the most current information. Additionally, European Union initiatives, such as those reported by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, may influence or inform legal developments across member states, including Austria.
- Sarah M. has encountered severe mental health issues, including depression and panic attacks, as a result of her stalking ordeal, requiring medication for her mental health.
- The legal system in Austria is committed to protecting victims' rights and ensuring that perpetrators face consequences for their actions, as evidenced by the legislation on stalking and revenge porn.
- General news sources report that Austria has laws that make stalking and revenge porn illegal, with § 107 of the Austrian Criminal Code addressing psychological harassment and stalking behaviors, and laws addressing privacy and data protection outlawing revenge porn.
- In addition to domestic resources like the Women's Helpline, Association of Autonomous Austrian Women's Houses, and Vienna Domestic Violence Center, victims of violence, including stalking and harassment, in Austria can find help from organizations like the 24-hour Women's Emergency Hotline, the Austrian Domestic Violence Centers, and the police emergency number.
