Social work, conflict resolution and support for offenders and victims
NEUSTART works with offenders and victims to stop violence and prevent crime. Through professional social work, people who have committed offences receive support to build a life free from crime. This includes services such as probation, violence prevention counselling, and victim–offender mediation.
The main goal is reintegration into society. This benefits the individual, helps prevent further victims, and contributes to a safer society overall.
Guided by respect and human dignity
NEUSTART is a non-profit organization that works on behalf of the Ministry of Justice and other state authorities. Its work is guided by respect and human dignity. As part of a modern justice system, NEUSTART offers effective alternatives to punishment, especially to imprisonment. Its work is carried out by both employed staff and trained volunteers. They bring experience from many areas of life. This diversity makes NEUSTART’s social work strong and effective. Around 750 employed social workers and 980 volunteers work to stop violence and prevent crime.
Services for offenders
Probation service: Supervision following conviction or as part of diversion measures with the goal of prevention of reoffending. NEUSTART provides long-term support for offenders to secure their livelihood, make constructive behavioural changes, and engage in an in-depth reflection on their offending behavior.
Electronic monitoring: Prison sentence served at home under electronic monitoring (“ankle tag”). NEUSTART develops a supervision profile (weekly schedule with permitted absences) and provides psychosocial support: strengthening motivation, assistance with workplace or household conflicts, financial or psychosocial difficulties, and development of strategies to prevent reoffending.
Aftercare for released prisoners: Counselling service for individuals who were not released early and served their full prison sentence. Contact is established already during imprisonment to provide best support after release, such as finding accommodation, securing a livelihood and adjusting to life outside of prison.
Violence prevention counselling: Mandatory six-hour counselling session following a police barring and restraining order, provided by NEUSTART in five states on behalf of the Interior Ministry (Vienna, Lower Austria, Upper Austria, Styria, Burgenland). Goals are: Stabilising and coping with the acute stress situation, immediate end of violent behavior, clarifying the triggers that led to aggression and violence, assessing the living situation and/or situation at the workplace and developing new, non-violent strategies.
Victim–offender mediation: The accused and the victim meet under the guidance of trained mediators from NEUSTART. As a core practice of restorative justice, it is particularly suitable for offences arising from personal conflicts. The victim-offender mediation focus is on personal and material reparation by offenders towards victims and on restoring social peace. Additionally, it provides a clarification of legal and social norms, especially for young people: What are the consequences of breaking criminal law?
Placement of community service work: Performance of community service as reparation to society in cases of minor offences as part of diversion measures. NEUSTART addresses the offence and its background and clarifies social and legal norms and supports in making reparation for damages. NEUSTART is also responsible for the acquisition of and liaison with community service organisations
Additional services include anti-violence training, supported housing, social network conferences, work training, online counselling, addiction prevention, and support for young people in criminal proceedings. These services take a constructive social approach and help reduce crime in a sustainable way.
Online counselling for everyone
Do you or someone close to you need help? Support with authorities, deadlines, or official procedures? Looking for advice from social workers? Then contact NEUSTART’s online counselling service under beratung@neustart.at. You will receive a reply within 24 hours.
Services for victims
Support during court proceedings: People who have become victims of violence can contact NEUSTART’s court support service (also close relatives). Psychosocial and legal court support make sure that victims feel supported and safe during criminal proceedings and are able to assert their rights and interests. It includes referrals to pro bono lawyers and prevention of secondary victimization.
Further services focus on supporting victims and on prevention. These include victim–offender mediation, online counselling, school social work, and information programs in schools. They provide support to those affected by crime and help prevent violence and offending at an early stage.
Go NEUSTART App
The Go NEUSTART app makes it easy for clients to stay connected and organized. It is a quick and simple way to stay in touch with ones social worker, secure document sharing, and keeps appointments and goals in one place. The app also provides important information about next steps—for example after a barring order—and offers helpful tools to support personal development:
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