Austrian Movers Offer Free Relocation Services to Domestic Violence Victims

Austrian Movers Offer Free Relocation Services to Domestic Violence Survivors

Markus Lintner and Clemens Horky, two moving company founders based in the Tyrol region of Austria, are dedicating one day every week to provide free relocation services for women fleeing domestic violence, 24 Heures reported.

The initiative stems from a local project in the valley near Innsbruck. The two founders operate an enterprise named Keinschreck, launched in 2024 after the childhood friends decided to build a business together outside of traditional office environments. Horky and Lintner are both 29 years old and live in Innsbruck. Horky studied biology and Lintner studied management. Before starting their removal and clearance business, which they have run for two years, they had transported various items such as sofas, boxes, and beer crates for friends in shared apartments. Although outraged by such acts, the duo was not originally particularly engaged against violence against women, originating from Hall in Tirol and Wattens, two towns located twenty minutes from Innsbruck.

The Advertising Panel That Triggered a Shift

The turning point for the moving company occurred when a women’s shelter asked them to transport an advertising sign from Kufstein to Innsbruck. The panel displayed the message En alerte face aux violences faites aux femmes or Restez éveillés face aux violences faites aux femmes, as detailed by Le Média Positif.

The slogan stayed with the two men throughout the journey. They subsequently approached the shelter and offered to transport belongings for victims moving into safe houses or transitioning into new apartments, completely free of charge. Following media exposure in Austria, Markus Lintner and Clemens Horky reported receiving requests from across the country as well as from abroad, particularly from Switzerland, though they focus their efforts on Tyrol and are already overwhelmed. Sharing their approach on Instagram brought unexpected resonance, with their video surpassing hundreds of thousands of views within hours, according to the Austrian radio station Ö3. More than 5,000 comments and 320,000 likes accompanied their posts. To transform this momentum into a sustainable setup, they work with Kraftakt, a solidarity moving association.

Duo Established Strict Security Protocols After Initial Danger

The first assignment revealed immediate safety risks. As recounted by Courrier International, Lintner and Horky arrived at an apartment to find the abusive partner still present on the sofa, with a pistol and a knife within arm’s reach. Le premier déménagement a été une catastrophe, Lintner stated regarding that initial encounter. During that first mission, police had to be called so the young woman could leave safely.

Following that incident, the duo established strict security protocols. They now wait for formal clearance from the women’s shelter or local law enforcement before entering any residence.

Founders Created Association to Meet Growing Demand

Confronted with the scale of abuse across all age groups and social classes, Lintner and Horky founded an association and began recruiting volunteers to meet the growing need. They noted that victims range from women in their early twenties to women aged 70.

Les 3 et 4 octobre, Markus et Clemens ont réalisé un défi d’endurance de 24 heures près du lac de Rossau, à Innsbruck, en courant trente tours de six kilomètres parrainés par des donateurs pour récolter des fonds pour l’AÖF, le réseau des foyers autonomes pour femmes en Autriche.