Alarm mood in outdoor pools: aggression and harassment are increasing!

Alarm mood in outdoor pools: aggression and harassment are increasing!

The summer months are traditionally the high season for outdoor pools, but this year a dark cloud is hovering over many pools: increasing violence and aggression. Peter Harzheim, President of the Federal Association of German Swimming Champions, is sounding the alarm and reporting a worrying increase in attacks and harassment in swimming pools. “The aggression has increased extremely,” says Harzheim, and these observations correspond to alarming statistics: Last year, the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) registered 1,140 cases of physical injuries and 423 sexual crimes at seaside resorts in Germany. Of these, over 65 percent of the suspects were not of German origin, which further fuels the debate reports the FR.

Harzheim and the federal association are urgently calling for stricter security precautions and quicker sanctions for perpetrators. “We need more security personnel and de-escalation training for our employees,” continued Harzheim. The shortage of skilled workers, which is exacerbated not least by austerity measures following the Corona and energy crises, makes the situation even more precarious. The impending retirement of baby boomers could also pose an additional challenge. These developments show a clear trend: the protection of bathers must be strengthened to ensure a safe atmosphere highlights the RND.

Social backgrounds and possible solutions

Social developments also play a role in the discussion about safety in swimming pools. Harzheim sees both a lack of educational boundaries and tensions caused by cultural differences as possible causes for the increasing potential for violence. Following the incidents in Gelnhausen, where four Syrian men sexually harassed eight girls, calls for consequences for delinquent asylum seekers are becoming louder. These cases intensify the debate about safety in German outdoor pools and polarize public opinion inform the Bayerische Staatszeitung.

A look at the situation in Bavaria shows that overall crime in swimming pools has not increased significantly. Nevertheless, there was a doubling of violent crime, where 47 cases were recorded, compared to the years before the pandemic. This raises worrying thoughts and is classified as “typical for young people, not specific for swimming pools”. Experts recommend a clear definition of violations in the house rules and the consistent issuing of bans. The proposal to increase police presence in outdoor swimming pools is also rejected due to the tense personnel situation highlights the Bayerische Staatszeitung.

Given this situation, it remains to be seen how authorities and swimming pool operators respond to the demands for more safety and better protective measures. One thing is clear: summer should be a place of relaxation for everyone - not a scene of aggression and assault.