Since its foundation in 1998 Maria Schwarz-Schlöglmann has been the managing director of the Violence Protection Center of Upper Austria and is a licensed social worker, lawyer and psychotherapist. The violence protection centers and the Vienna Intervention Centre against Violence in the family are legally recognized victim protection facilities. They provide free confidential ounseling for persons who have experienced violence within the family or within their social circle and for stalking victims. In particular, the centers actively approach people who have reported incidents of violence or stalking to the police and offer psychosocial and legal counselling and assistance.