Institutions for persons with disabilities or not to participate in the community. However, there is no doubt that persons who were socialised in institutions and are in a dependent relationship first have to be motivated to organise themselves and to seek self-representation and empowered to do the same. Empowerment XX The NPM has repeatedly criticised facilities for their remote location in combination with lack of transport alternatives, for insufficient Augmentative and Alternative Communication, flawed target planning or lack of residents’ representation. These factors have a significant influence on participation. As long as persons in institutions and facilities do not experience “empowerment” with which to pursue their interests autonomously, real participation is not conceivable.  Participation means involvement in political decision-making processes; the framework necessary for this shall be secured in institutions and facilities. 2.4.3 Study on experiences of violence of persons with disabilities Risk of violence for persons with disabilities researched for the first time Since 2012, commissions have been highlighting that persons with disabilities are exposed to a greater risk of violence as a consequence of their high vulnerability. The reports to the National Council and Federal Council provided impetus for a parliamentary motion for a resolution that requested the Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Health and Consumer Protection to commission a scientific study in agreement with the NPM in November 2014. Representative results for Austria have been available for the first time since December 2019. The study is based on the collection of extensive data on the experience of violence of adults with disabilities who use facilities for persons with disabilities, live in psychosocial institutions or are mentally ill offenders in detention. In addition to standardised questionnaires from users and representatives from institutions, detailed qualitative interviews were also conducted and good practice summary analyses prepared. The NPM contributed its expertise in an accompanying working group. Risk of violence particularly high for persons with disabilities In detail, the picture is as follows: more than eight out of ten persons with disabilities have experienced psychological violence in their life. Six out of ten have been subjected to serious psychological violence as well as dangerous threats or persistent harassment in their life. In addition, every third person interviewed has experienced severe psychological violence in the last three years. Similar incidences of physical violence were observed: almost eight out of ten interviewed persons with disabilities have experienced physical violence and 93