For a safe autumn festival for girls and women, the eight Erding city councillors are campaigning with a joint appeal. Concrete measures are to follow.
Erding – Rapping women is not a trivial offense and a dirndl neckline is not an invitation: This is what the eight Erding city councillors point out and turn to the public with an appeal to the public before the autumn festival that begins on 25 August. Their goal: more safety for girls and women.
On Thursday afternoon, the two Green City Councillors Helga Stieglmeier and Verena Comperl presented their concerns together with Sabine Trettenbacher, Equal Opportunities Officer of the district. Trettenbacher had given the impetus to the action with a survey of the secondary schools in the district. She wanted to know what young women and men could do against sexual assault.
The response was great, the ideas manifold. And it became clear that many girls have already had unpleasant experiences. There are no official figures. Trettenbacher, however, assumes a "high number of unreported cases": "They are not the exception."
Stieglmeier, who is responsible for equality in the city council, emphasized "that sexual assaults on girls and women continue to occur at folk festivals." These are in no case a trivial offense, but a criminal offense. She recalled the "Safe Oktoberfest" campaign, which has been around for 20 years.
"We want girls and women to enjoy attending the Autumn Festival, to feel safe and to come home unscathed," says the appeal, which was signed by Stieglmeier and Comperl as well as Janine Altheimer and Stefanie Winkler (both CSU), Anne Connelly (FDP), Eva Döllel (ÖDP), Cornelia Ermeier (Greens) and Deputy Mayor Petra Bauernfeind (FW). It says: "No means no! Girls and women are not groped! A dirndl neckline is not an invitation! Even drunken girls and women are not fair game!" Comperl emphasized: "Sexual harassment is also the grip on the thigh."
Stieglmeier made it clear: "It's not about women having to dress differently. The victims are not to blame. The following applies: Women are not touched. There is no reason and no permission." This applies to all parties, "even when girls go to the bar or club in the evening".
Her tip, should an unpleasant situation arise: "Get away!" And if you are attacked: "Be loud." Here, a whistle has proven itself. Basically, Stieglmeier advises festival visitors not to go home alone or at least to make phone calls on the way home. This deters potential perpetrators. And: In this way, the location can also be determined.
The danger of knockout drops in beverages was also discussed. Stieglmeier advised: "Take care of your glasses, don't leave them alone and don't invite you."
The appeal of the city councillors is aimed at all visitors to the fair, but also at employees, innkeepers and showmen. "Intervene, offer support, and don't look away," says Stieglmeier. She appealed to the men: "Please keep your distance, even if you don't understand it as sexual harassment at all. Respect certain boundaries."
She and her comrades-in-arms don't want to spoil anyone's fun at the Autumn Festival. "We are all looking forward to a fun and peaceful celebration." To ensure that this is also the case for all girls and women, there will be concrete measures this year. These will be announced shortly before the start of the Autumn Festival, Stieglmeier announced.