The Oktoberfest in the Bavarian metropolis is known worldwide for beer, pretzels and Lederhosen. But the “Wiesn” have their downside. Always female visitors to be bothered or messed around with.
Nothing more, the end of the Party: young visitors to the Bavarian spectacle
Groups of men in Lederhosen and women with Dirndeln stroll in a good mood at the beer tents and food stalls. Many are waiting for the Cool of the Evening comes now, when, one of the coveted hot spots in one of the huge beer tents.
On the question of whether you feel when you visit the big event certainly, refer the women to the large contingent of police and security forces guarding the site.
On the question of whether or not they feel at the Oktoberfest, but also as a women, do not hesitate with the answer. Again and again there are Attacks on women as a glance at the police files and evidence.
Rape and harassment
So the Munich police has registered so far this year 21 cases of sexual offences on the Oktoberfest.
On the first day of the Oktoberfest on September 22. In September, the police arrested a 25-year-old man from Munich. He is said to have raped a 21-year-old woman from Finland in the bushes on the festival grounds.
A few days later, an unidentified man is suspected to have a 43-year-old woman under the skirt, put his hand. As she introduces him to speech, the man your its-litre beer mug in the face.
The police noted in its “interim report” of the Oktoberfest, the Numbers compared to the previous year, although a downward trend, but in recent years, however, an increase of reported sexual Assaults and harassment.
Party zone of the Oktoberfest
So it was 2017 a total of 67 cases of sexual violence and harassment. In 2016, there were 34 reported cases even significantly less.
The authorities attribute the increase in to Changes in sex law in Germany. So the Grab and other forms of sexual harassment and touching in the meantime, under penalty. The law provides for prison sentences of up to two years. So far, such “insignificant” sexual harassment, such as breast were grabbing as non-punishable. The changes in the law occurred shortly after the Oktoberfest 2016.
The law of adaptation have to be sharpened in the population, and also among the employees within the beer, the awareness of such offences tents, wrote the police in your Oktoberfest report in 2017. In addition, women today have more courage to fight back. There is always “more of a willingness to charge”.
“It can happen”
Many of the women who were at the Oktoberfest, compared to the DW, said they had yet personally experienced no harassment. Others referred to, in turn, tents harassment as a part of the party atmosphere in the Beer.
Almost half of all sexual Assaults are due to the consumption of alcohol, according to a study by the U.S. National Institute NIAAA, which deals with the consequences of alcohol and its abuse. The observable is the responsibility for the control of alcohol consumption sun, interestingly, is often the case with the women, and not at the drinking men, So women would suggests often that it is their responsibility to prevent harassment and Assaults, so the NIAAA.
“You give the alcohol, the guilt, and try to ignore the man,” said a 27-year-old woman named Carmen in the DW. “If a man tries to flirt with you, or tackle you, go to him out of the way try. But somehow, you must always expect that something could happen, especially the later it gets.”
On-site assistance
Especially for girls and women, a so-called security point has been established an extra point of contact. But to find him, does not seem to be quite simple.
Not easy to find: Security Point for girls and women
Most of the women with whom the DW language, did not know where the point is located. Even longtime visitors to the Oktoberfest.
The concept of “Safe Wiesn for girls and women” helps women since 2003. He’s supposed to be a refuge for women and girls who have been separated from your group and need help to get home safely.
About 100 women had sought earlier in the year, help at the site, it is said by the initiators. Most of the time you have lost your friends and Acquaintances. Increasingly, the security center but also takes care to women who have been harassed or victims of violence. So had already turned five women seeking help at the safety spot, after they had experienced sexual violence. Three of the victims of their own Partner was the perpetrator.
Unreported
However, it is assumed that “the actual number of sexual offences is much higher, since only a small part of the sexualised violence is reported”.
Carmen and Isabella have noticed some of the Attacks at the Oktoberfest
This also Isabella confirmed. The 27-year-old Oktoberfest visitor doesn’t believe that the majority of women to alert the police or security people if you are being harassed or are grabs: Many were hoping just to get away and to celebrate.
“In the crowd, the women ignore it and not discuss it,” she says. “Some try to regulate each other, but most of the time none of it is reported.”