Alarm in the outdoor pools: Police warn of sexual assaults!

Alarm in the outdoor pools: Police warn of sexual assaults!

Summertime is a reason to celebrate for many people, especially when they go out to the refreshing outdoor pool. But especially in this lively season, worrying reports of sexual assaults in swimming pools and outdoor pools are increasing. The police in Kusel (Rhineland-Palatinate) are now sounding the alarm and calling on the population to be vigilant. An incident that took place on July 1st at a local swimming pool brought the situation to light: a man kissed an eight-year-old boy on the head, citing his resemblance to his own brother. The Kaiserslautern public prosecutor's office has already started an investigation, while the swimming pool banned the man from entering the building. As the Frankfurter Rundschau reports, the police are calling on parents to encourage their children to report suspicious situations.

Awareness of sexual harassment in swimming pools has increased across Germany. The “I’ll Say It” campaign, launched in August 2024, is intended to encourage children and young people to talk about their experiences and protect them from harassment. Posters and flyers depicting scenes of sexual assault were distributed in numerous bathrooms. The examples of poorly researched incidents are alarming. In Hesse, for example, there were several attacks in which girls were molested by men. Investigations have begun in an outdoor swimming pool in Gelnhausen against four Syrian men between the ages of 18 and 28 who are said to have molested eight girls between the ages of 11 and 16.

New protection concept and campaigns

In view of this worrying development, an outdoor swimming pool in Büren (North Rhine-Westphalia) has launched an innovative safety concept: the “Safeword” program. Children can use the code word “Tiki” to get support when they are attacked. The project is entitled “Summer – Sun – Security” and aims to sensitize children and young people to sexual boundary violations and to give them the opportunity to seek help.

But measures are not only required in Büren. Worrying incidents have also recently been reported in other cities. In Baden-Württemberg, the police reported three cases on July 2, 2025: A 14-year-old girl was molested by a 27-year-old man in Besigheim, while an eight-year-old boy was inappropriately touched by an unknown person in Eltingen. Another incident in Asperg, in which a 25-year-old man exposed himself in front of children in the outdoor pool, illustrates the urgency of increased prevention.

Nationwide trends and statistics

The increasing number of sexual assaults in outdoor swimming pools can be observed in several federal states. The police reported almost 300 sexual crimes in North Rhine-Westphalia last year. This corresponds to an increase of 11% compared to the previous year. It is also worrying that over half of the suspects do not have a German passport. In Bavaria, 227 such crimes have already been registered in 2024, with 97% of the suspects being male. A similar pattern emerges here too: not only are the perpetrators always the same, but the responsible authorities are also increasingly relying on preventive measures.

The campaigns, such as the nationwide “RespektPommes” campaign, are intended to promote a rethink in swimming pools. Mayor Burkhard Schwuchow of Gelnhausen appeals to the public not to look away, but to actively provide help and report relevant incidents. This summer it is clear that it is everyone's responsibility to ensure that outdoor pools remain a place of fun and carefree.

For more information on current developments and initiatives aimed at protecting children in outdoor pools, you can read the articles on Echo24 and Die World.