Scandal at the S-Bahn: works council boss has to go to court for sexual harassment - the verdict is surprising
Created: 09/20/2022, 17:15
By: Andreas Thieme
Ralph P. is on trial for sexual harassment © SIGI JANTZ
The Munich S-Bahn is always the focus of attention due to breakdowns.
Is she on time?
This question is like a crime thriller every day.
One thing actually happened in front of the district court: the head of the S-Bahn works council is said to have sexually molested a student – his case took a surprising turn.
Munich – Serious allegations against Ralf P. (57): The head of the Munich S-Bahn works council has had to answer to the district court for sexual harassment since yesterday.
According to the indictment, he is said to have touched a student several times against her will.
An unpleasant process for the S-Bahn...
The incidents happened two years ago.
Student Anna P. (name changed) worked in the S-Bahn service team as a ticket inspector.
According to the indictment, Ralf P. is said to have hugged her against her will on two other occasions and stroked her arm and hair.
Not only was this uncomfortable for the employee, she also reported the touching, which she perceived as a nuisance, to the works council.
As a result, corporate security was also switched on, and later the Munich public prosecutor's office brought charges to the district court.
There, the criminal trial began yesterday with a number of witnesses.
Ralph P. denies the allegations "decidedly," he said in court.
In the end he was right: the district court acquitted him!
According to spokeswoman Julia Burk, the verdict is "not yet final".
The public prosecutor's office is still considering whether to appeal.
Munich: S-Bahn works council boss for sexual harassment in court
Only since the reform of sexual criminal law at the end of 2016 has there been a criminal offense of sexual insult (§184i StGB).
It says: "Anyone who physically touches another person in a sexually specific way and thereby harassed is punished with imprisonment of up to two years or a fine." Gropers in particular should receive an appropriate punishment - serious cases even see up to five years in prison before.
When asked by our editors, Deutsche Bahn said: "DB stands for cultural diversity, openness, tolerance and respect.
We condemn any form of sexual harassment and sexualised violence towards our employees.
We take our duty to protect as an employer in this area very seriously.
In a group works agreement, we have explicitly committed ourselves to preventing and punishing bullying, sexual harassment and other disadvantageous and/or discriminatory acts and to promoting measures to maintain a climate of partnership.”
Sexual abuse: Deutsche Bahn has created extensive opportunities for victims
A spokeswoman explains: "In recent years, DB has created extensive opportunities for victims to report abusive behavior.
The contact points for affected employees, such as the ombudsman office, tip management and the hotline for the employee support team, have been expanded: Today, two external DB lawyers are also available to receive reports of sexual assault.
In addition, measures were taken to provide information, remove taboos on the subject and raise employee awareness, in particular through training formats and internal communication.”
