Vienna men’s counselling service expects more than 5,000 consultations

VIDO, a men’s counselling service run by Volkshilfe Vienna, expects to provide more than 5,000 consultations this year after recording nearly 3,400 one-to-one consultations by August, ORF reports. Volkshilfe Vienna director Tanja Wehsely warned against cuts to the service as organisations face pressure to save money.

Wehsely described the increase as positive, saying men and boys were increasingly willing to seek help and talk about their problems. VIDO recorded about 3,170 consultations in 2025, 4,400 in 2024 and 2,590 in 2023. Changes in capacity partly account for the fluctuations, Volkshilfe said.

The number of men contacting the service on their own has also risen this year. About 30 men and boys a month now reach out through its telephone helpline, compared with around 20 a month last year.

VIDO supports boys and men aged 14 and over, including people referred by courts for anti-violence training and those who seek help voluntarily. Wehsely called counselling for men and boys “a major lever”, saying that helping men express their feelings could support them in becoming good partners, fathers and members of society. She also said perpetrators are usually from their victims’ circles, and noted that Austria had recorded 19 femicides so far this year.

VIDO has not been affected by cuts so far, Wehsely said, adding that the organisation was being heard. She urged decision-makers to consider carefully where savings are made, warning that stopping the work could have “really serious consequences”.