Shocking incidents in the outdoor pool: Police warn of sexual harassment!

Shocking incidents in the outdoor pool: Police warn of sexual harassment!

In recent weeks there has been increasing concern about incidents in swimming pools, including in Rhineland-Palatinate, which recently led to the police being alerted. According to the information from merkur.de The police in Kusel urge people to be vigilant in swimming pools. Parents are encouraged to sensitize their children when dealing with suspicious situations.

The latest warnings were triggered by an incident on July 1 in which a man kissed an eight-year-old boy in a swimming pool, citing his resemblance to his own brother. The Kaiserslautern public prosecutor's office has started the investigation, while the swimming pool has imposed a ban on the man. Ultimately, it seems as if awareness of sexual harassment in swimming pools is increasing across Germany, supported by the “I’ll Say It” campaign, which has been active since August 2024. This initiative aims to protect children and young people from sexual harassment.

Worrying developments in outdoor swimming pools

However, the problem does not only affect Rhineland-Palatinate. There were also several alarming incidents in Hesse, for example in Gelnhausen. A group of young girls were harassed by men and touched against their will. These incidents lead to a nationwide outcry and prompted many women to share their experiences at outdoor pools. The number of women who experience sexual harassment is shockingly high. According to the Federal Office for Family and Civil Society Responsibilities, two thirds of women in Germany have experienced sexual harassment at least once after the age of 15, with the youngest victim in Gelnhausen being just 11 years old focus.de reported.

Women who visit outdoor pools in Cologne usually don't seem to have had any direct negative experiences, but many still show a strong awareness of the issue. Such incidents call for more respect and a deeper examination of power structures and social role models. Observations and photographs of women by men are described as particularly disturbing.

Awareness and prevention campaigns

It is encouraging that initiatives like “I’ll say it!” are also active in Cologne and are committed to protecting young people. These campaigns aim to raise awareness and support children in seeking help in the event of harassment. Security authorities are taking preventative measures and encouraging bathers to report suspicious incidents immediately. North Rhine-Westphalia Interior Minister Herbert Reul made a similar statement, calling for quick and harsh punishments for perpetrators.

The discussion about crime in swimming pools is not new. The social background of perpetrators is often also taken into account. Social scientist Martin Winands explains that immigrant groups in particular, who often come from traditionally violent societies, are disproportionately represented in crime statistics. But the fear of harassment affects women regardless of the origin of the perpetrators and is omnipresent. The debate about respect and safety in swimming pools therefore remains relevant and necessary, as well wdr.de shows.