The Oktoberfest is the largest folk festival in the world: every year, millions of people flock to the festival grounds during the two weeks of the festival. But as beer consumption increases, inhibitions often fall away.
Physical and sexual attacks occur not only against girls and women, but also against boys and men as well as LGBTQI* people because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Victims of violence can find help directly on the Theresienwiese – and at various contact points in Munich.
Help for women and girls
For women and girls, the Safe Space formerly known as the Security Point. Last year, 310 women and girls sought help there. This safe place is located in the service center near Bavaria behind the Schottenhamel tent at the “First Aid” entrance. The police with their Oktoberfest Guard stationed.
The Safe Space is open daily from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and on October 2nd and 3rd from 3.30 p.m. Telephone: 089/8905745188.
An alliance of three women’s initiatives founded Safe Space in 2003. The three organizations Imma, Amyna and the Munich Women’s Emergency Hotline are on duty every evening with more than a dozen experts. Safe Space is the first point of contact in cases of sexual violence or other emergencies involving girls and women.
Even outside of the Oktoberfest opening hours, women and girls can find help from these organizations:
Internet: www.imma.de
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 089/2607531
Internet: www.amyna.de
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 089/8905745100
Internet: www.frauennotruf-muenchen.de
Phone: 089/763737
:What you should know about Oktoberfest
How long are the tents open? What do I need to bear in mind when visiting? And what are the most important dates? An overview.
The police at the Oktoberfest
The Oktoberfest Guard (Police Inspection 17) can also be found in the western part of the Theresienwiese in the area of the service center at Matthias-Pschorr-Straße 4. Patrol officers in uniform and in plain clothes are on duty on the festival grounds and in the surrounding area. The Federal Police are on duty at the nearby train stations. The Wiesnwache is manned around the clock. The guard service runs between 9 a.m. and 1:30 a.m. The nearby police station 14 at Beethovenstrasse 5 is also a contact point.
The Wiesn police can be reached by phone at 089/5003220. There is also a victim advice line at the Munich police headquarters, phone 089/29104444.
Help for the LQBTQI* community
According to the Munich police, 80 to 90 percent of anti-LGBTQI* crimes are not reported. Officers advise people to get to safety if possible and draw attention to themselves in the event of a crime. The emergency number is always 110.
In Munich, there are a number of contact and advice centers for lesbians, gays, bisexuals, trans*, inter* and non-binary people all year round. They also provide help if people have become victims of violence at the Oktoberfest.
- Strong! LGBTQI* specialist office against discrimination and violence
Internet: www.strong-community.de
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 089/856346427
- Sub – Advice for gay and bisexual men
Internet: www.subonline.org
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 089/856346424 (daytime), 089/19446 (evening)
- LeTRa Lesbian Counselling Centre for lesbian and bisexual women
Internet: www.letra.de
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 089/7254272
- Trans*Inter*Advice center for trans*, inter* and queer people
Internet: www.trans-inter-beratungsstelle.de
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 089/54333130
- diversity youth centre – advice for young LGBTIQ* people up to 27 years
Internet: www.diversity-muenchen.de
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 089/55266986