SO WHAT?! #notyourfault

Campaign against knockout drops

On December 11, 2024, on the initiative of Women's City Councillor Eva Schobesberger, the new awareness campaign "SO WHAT?! #notyourfault" against knockout drops. This is being implemented by the Women's Office of the City of Linz in cooperation with the FIFTITU% association.

Background

K.O. drops (knock-out drops) are a particularly insidious form of violence, because: Knock-out drugs are tasteless and odorless and are secretly mixed into drinks in clubs or at parties to render victims defenseless. Their effect, especially in combination with alcohol, is incalculable and sometimes even life-threatening. The symptoms range from confusion, loss of willpower and unconsciousness to other physical effects such as dizziness, nausea, loss of muscle control or even a drop in blood pressure. The perpetrators take advantage of the victims' helpless situation to rape them, steal from them or commit other crimes. After waking up, the victims often cannot remember anything.

Creative implementation by FIFTITU%

The association FIFTITU% - Vernetzungsstelle für Frauen in Kunst und Kultur in Oberösterreich was commissioned to implement the campaign. The campaign includes striking posters and interactive elements in public spaces. Prejudices such as "You went home unaccompanied" are countered with the phrase "SO WHAT?" (in German: "NA UND?!") are painted over. The statement "#notyourfault" makes it clear that the blame should not be placed on the victims, but on the perpetrators. All posters also contain further information on help services such as hotlines or advice centers.

The campaign is being implemented in various languages in order to reach as many people as possible. Cooperation with schools, youth centers and clubs is also planned in order to spread the messages in a targeted manner.

Text: https://www.linz.at/frauen/129201.php