District launches campaigns for the day against catcalling on 14 June

Comments like "Hey sweetie, hot bum!", whistling behind you, intrusive looks and unsolicited remarks: Many people - especially women - often experience situations like this. What might be meant as a compliment is not one. Instead, it is sexualised verbal harassment, known as "catcalling". This year, there will once again be a nationwide day of action against this on 14 June. The district will be drawing attention to the issue and organising campaigns in the pedestrian zone in Korbach.

According to a study by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth, 44 per cent of women and 32 per cent of men in Germany experience situations in which sexist signs and assaults are directed at them. A survey initiated by the federal government also shows that women in particular are frequently affected by verbal sexual harassment. Fifty-eight per cent of all respondents stated that they had experienced situations of sexual harassment. More than half stated that they had been harassed by being whistled at and stared at and around a third had experienced comments about their body, sexual innuendo and other assaultive behaviour.

Chalking up catcalls
The district would therefore also like to actively combat sexualised verbal harassment. The specialist service for women and equal opportunities is therefore launching campaigns in the centre of Korbach on 14 June between 12 noon and 2 pm: there will be a campaign stand in the Korbach lowlands where the team from the specialist service will provide information on the topic. In addition, so-called "catcalls" will be written on the ground with chalk - in other words, the sexualised verbal assaults that many victims reported to the district last year. You can also spontaneously write your experiences on the floor with chalk.

Distributing genuine compliments
"We want to highlight the extent and seriousness of these catcalls and also show that this is not a problem in large metropolises, but often happens here in Waldeck-Frankenberg," says Beate Friedrich, the district's women's representative. "Catcalling is not a compliment, it's sexual harassment. To emphasise this, we prefer to hand out real compliments that everyone can take away with them," adds her deputy Miriam Drüppel, pointing out that flowers and cards with compliments will be distributed "to go" at the campaign stand and from the surrounding shops on this day. ADAC Reisebüro Schreiber, Thalia Korbach, Quick-Schuh Korbach, Steen Immobilienpartner, Modehaus Manhenke and Eiscafe San Marco will also be there.

Share experiences anonymously
Since last year, the district has been drawing attention to catcalls under the hashtag "No compliments". Those affected were and are still welcome to share their bad experiences - and to vent their anger a little. This is because those affected are still not legally protected, as there is still no law that penalises catcalling. Those affected can therefore share their experiences with the staff at the Women and Equal Opportunities Service by emailing keinkompliment@lkwafkb.de - anonymously and without obligation. A description of the situation with the place and date is sufficient. No personal details need to be provided. The stories will be written - anonymously, of course - on the ground at the place where the incident took place, without mentioning names. If necessary and desired, those affected will receive support from the Specialist Service for Women and Equal Opportunities

"Why are we doing this? We want to make it clear that sexual harassment doesn't just start with a touch, but with whistles, chat-up lines and comments. This awareness is often lacking," she explains. The aim of the campaign is to empower those affected and encourage them not to simply accept catcalling and also to promote civil courage. "Ideally, the perpetrators' behaviour should also be mirrored - in the hope that it will become very clear to them how out of place such behaviour is."

Keywords:

Women and Equal Opportunities Service Together against violence No compliments