The Zara advice center for those affected by online hate will have to stop working from June because its funding will be suspended by the Federal Chancellery. What does this mean for those affected by cyber violence? Caroline Schmüser from Zara in an interview.
The Federal Chancellery is cutting funding for the Zara advice center. The entire team was notified for termination. From now on, Zara can no longer offer new consultations. IMAGO/BODE
“Die Presse”: What are Zara’s main activities that are now being discontinued?
Caroline Schmüser: The heart of our work is the advice centers for those affected by racism, which have existed since 1999, and those for those affected by online hate, which have existed since 2017. There we offer legal and psychosocial advice as well as psychosocial litigation support for those affected by online hate. Of course, we also do a lot of work to raise awareness of the topic and contribute our expertise to political processes.
How exactly does the funding cut affect Zara?
Schmüser: Last week, all Zara employees, 18 people, were laid off. We will continue to work until the notice periods have expired, but we can no longer accept any new cases. Last year we applied for funding for the current year and were already expecting feedback by the end of the year. The answer was delayed. That’s why we continued working this year and made advance payments. At the beginning of April, the Federal Chancellery informed us that the funding would not be continued.
Caroline Schmüser from the Zara advice center is responsible, among other things, for public relations. Uffrances
Violence on the Internet has been a big topic in recent weeks and months, including in politics. Where can those affected by digital hate turn now?
Zara was the only specialized advice center that was generally accessible to everyone. There is also advice on wire, but it is aimed at young people and children. The Internet Ombudsman’s Office specializes primarily in Internet fraud. There are of course other victim protection organizations, such as the White Ring, which supports victims of crime. We are the only specialized advice center when it comes to digital violence.
What is the status of victim protection in the digital space in Austria?
I would say that the debates over the last few weeks have shown that there is still a lot to do. With our work, we only catch a fraction of the hate and violence that happens online. That is why we have always called for an expansion of support offers for those affected. And they should also be financed over longer periods of time, not just over a year.
What’s next?
Current cases will continue to be looked after, while new cases will only be documented. If no financial solution can be found in the short term, Zara will have to cease operations completely in June.
