Sappi Ideas that Matter - Book 7

Europe
Covering Reality (Das Unsichtbare Wahrnehmen)
Kinderschutz-Zentrum Linz
56
Child abuse most often happens within the family and
behind closed doors, taking the form of negligence,
physical maltreatment and sexual abuse. In Linz,
Austria, there is a centre that has committed employees
and effective strategies to both prevent and treat the
aftermath of child abuse. But it is not well known, and
has limited funds for the purpose of reaching those
in need.
Now 20 years old, the Kinderschutz-Zentrum Linz
(Child Abuse Prevention Centre, Linz) has worked
tirelessly to create a violence-free environment for
children, teenagers and their families, offering free
counselling and therapy at the centre. In addition to
counselling, the centre does what it can to educate
the people of Linz about issues of abuse in an effort
to prevent problems occurring.
Realising the desperation of the centre’s situation,
designers Christoph Kerschner and Walter Stromberger,
together with writer Norbert Tomasi of Kest: strategie,
kommunikation, design, approached the centre’s
director Barbara Künschner with an audacious plan.
They found Barbara to be open minded and the plan
became a reality. To illustrate the ‘cover-up’ (the hidden
nature of abuse and the unwillingness of the public to
acknowledge it) they covered the city centre of Linz in
pink paper; cars, public objects, shop windows, clothes,
coats and books in stores, all were wrapped in pink.
This was supported with posters, flyers and brochures,
focusing attention on child abuse and the role the centre
could play in both preventing and treating it.
“For once, the public could not close their eyes to
the reality. No-one could ignore the campaign or the
subject,” enthused the team.
From a press conference to coverage in local
newspapers, on radio stations and TV channels, a
professional Public Relations agency supported the
campaign. The end result: dramatically increased
awareness of the centre, which is now regularly
contacted by local media for interviews and comment
on abuse related issues.