Braunschweig: City Pools Take a Stand Against Sexual Harassment
Braunschweig's pools launch I Speak Up to combat harassment and boost safety
Braunschweig's public swimming pools are not a place for sexual harassment. With a new awareness campaign, Stadtbad Braunschweig Sport und Freizeit GmbH is now stepping up efforts to enhance safety and protection in its facilities, the company announced in a press release.
Over the past few months, staff at Stadtbad GmbH—particularly those in regular contact with pool and sauna guests—have undergone specialized training in collaboration with the Braunschweig Child Protection Association (Kinderschutzbund), the Sichtbar Center Against Sexualized Violence, and the Braunschweig Police Prevention Team. The goal was to sharpen awareness among lifeguards, sauna attendants, cashiers, and cleaning staff, equipping them to better recognize, assess, and respond to incidents of sexualized violence.
No High Incident Rates—But Zero Tolerance
"One thing is clear: Even a single case of sexualized violence is one too many," said Tobias Groß, managing director of Stadtbad GmbH. "While incident numbers in Braunschweig's pools have remained low in recent years and show no signs of increasing, every case can still leave guests feeling unsettled—especially when facts are distorted or events sensationalized on social media or in other outlets."
To address this, the company is not only training its staff but also raising awareness among visitors. Under the slogan "I Speak Up" (Ich sag's), posters, video spots, flyers, and other campaign materials—featuring six different designs—are now on display across all pools. Primarily targeting children and young people, the materials make it clear that unwanted touching in the pool, staring in showers or saunas, or any form of non-consensual contact is unacceptable.
"Seeking help isn't snitching," the campaign materials emphasize. The message underscores that reporting such incidents to pool staff is both encouraged and necessary—enabling swift action to address offenses and, ideally, prevent future occurrences.
Two additional themes—"Gossiping" and "Pushing"—are also included, though not directly tied to sexualized violence. These were chosen to reinforce broader boundaries of respectful behavior, ensuring all guests feel safe and comfortable in the city's pools.
Campaign Roots in Cologne
The "I Speak Up" initiative was originally launched by Cologne's public pool operator several years ago. Stadtbad Braunschweig has since licensed and adapted the concept for its own facilities. For more details on the campaign against sexualized violence, visit www.stadtbad-bs.de.
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