Academy of Toxicity

Posted on by resistaaance

This is a letter from people affected by violence and discrimination within the academy and related structures, such as the student union.

We are sharing our thoughts and experiences in light of the upcoming ÖH elections—primarily to highlight what solidarity and better community structures could look like, and because several of the aggressors are once again running for election.
We are tired of seeing their pictures and names displayed all over the academy.

The academy is a classist and exclusionary institution. This is not an abstract idea. Gaining access requires going through a selective process that privileges those already connected to the art world and its unwritten rules.
This environment includes many toxic and harmful practices, such as:

  • Protection of sexual violence perpetrators
  • Mobbing and harassment
  • Misuse of resources to advance personal careers
  • Aggression towards others
  • Structural abuse

It also includes:

  • Lack of support for those affected
  • Spreading false or misleading information about people affected by these harmful practices
  • Framing structural violence as private conflict

We are naming these actions, not individuals—because those responsible are already widely known within the student body. Just ask around.

What Violence Looks Like in the Academy

  • When someone aggressively confronts another person in a public meeting and then calls their emotional reaction “manipulative”
  • When money and ideas are stolen from others
  • When a rapist is supported while those responsible claim to be feminists
  • When academy resources are allocated to students supporting problematic political activities in favor of countries like russia
  • When power is held and used not for the community, but to benefit a small group within the ÖH

Support Is Not Abstract

Support means standing with those affected by violence and discrimination.
Refusing to take a stand is an act of exclusion.

If you’re in a leadership position, it’s your responsibility to address these issues—not to downplay them.

In recent years, we’ve witnessed a climate of silence and toxicity at the academy:

  • A toxic student union
  • An unsupportive AFG
  • A rectorate that consistently looks the other way

This isn’t just a critique of authority. It’s a reminder: addressing this is part of their job.

Looking away has become the norm:

  • When people in power recruit students for film projects that turn out to be pornographic
  • When teachers have undeclared relationships with students
  • When violence and exclusion occur repeatedly, without consequence

The Institution Talks Care, But Fosters Harm

This is not a series of isolated incidents—it’s a symptom of an institutionalized culture that talks about care and politics while enabling violence and patriarchy.

The specific problem at this academy is that these behaviors are often cloaked in the language of “queer feminism.”
Those responsible know the right words, support the right causes, and are far from stereotypical oppressors.
But their toxic and patriarchal behavior is masked by progressive branding.

They know how to use pronouns well, know the codes, and are not the typical cis-guys. It’s the patriarchal, toxic behavior that disguises itself with progressive political discourse and film-screenings. They often don’t even recognize their own behavior and actions. These are people who are supposed to be in positions of support, representation, and help—yet they lead in their toxicity. They shout others down, avoid accountability, and still present themselves as “antifascist” and “diverse.” And that’s the real tragedy—none of these labels guarantee a truly accountable community. The so-called “progressive” institution of AAAcademy is full of bullshit, covered up by good marketing.

Communities claiming to be anti-racist, antifascist, queer, and diverse can still be full of aggressors. Sadly, this isn’t “news,” but it is a tragedy when institutions that claim to engage in critical discourse actually foster these harmful dynamics. They claw desperately to keep their power.

Time’s Up — Let’s Put an End to This

  • Stop looking away when violence and/or discrimination occurs
  • Share your stories
  • Team up with people you trust
  • Speak out when boundaries are crossed
  • Build accountability

What Institutions Can Do

To take this seriously, institutions must:

  • Establish a contact point run by independent individuals, not tied to academy hierarchies
  • Require the student union and all associated bodies to adopt and follow a code of conduct
  • Implement real accountability mechanisms:
    • When someone in power abuses their role, they must face consequences
    • Decisions about removal from power should be handled by an independent body guided by queer-feminist principles such as power of definition and partisanship
    • These structures already exist elsewhere. Why not here at the Academy and ÖH Akbild?
  • Connect internal bodies with trusted external resources that specialize in independent, professional support

Act Now

Real queer feminism is here to end this patriarchal bullshit.

We might be tired, hurt, and angry, but we will not stay silent.

Independent Support Resources

24-Hour Women’s Helpline
01 71 71 9 – For women & girls (including trans* and inter* individuals)
wien.gv.at/frauen/beratung/frauennotruf

Vera* – Contact point against harassment and violence in arts & culture
vera-vertrauensstelle.at

Department for Feminist Politics (ÖH)
For discrimination issues at the university (by fellow students or teachers)
oeh.ac.at/en/feminist-politics
femref@oeh.ac.at

Contact us:
resistAAAnce@riseup.net
(For feedback, questions, or if you want to connect with us)