The “Safe Wiesn” campaign helps with sexual violence, but also if the handbag is stolen or friends are lost. In 2019, more visitors than ever before took advantage of the support.
Oktoberfest is not only a place of fun, it is also a place where women experience helplessness or violence. For the 18th time this year, the Imma association, together with the two women’s initiatives Amyna and the Munich women’s emergency hotline, are involved in the “Safe Wiesn for girls* and women*” campaign on the Theresienwiese. The gender stars are intended to make it clear that the offer is aimed at all people who, regardless of ID or appearance, identify themselves as female or feel addressed as non-binary people.
In addition to a room for those seeking help on site, prevention and awareness-raising for the topic also take place. “We adjusted the logo a bit this year. We wanted to make it more diverse and avoid sexist clichés and stereotypes,” explains Lisa Löffler from Frauennotruf. Instead of a woman in a dirndl, the logo now shows hands clasped in a heart, with a Oktoberfest pretzel and a rose. According to the initiators, flyers and posters in German and English have already been distributed in many schools, hotels and other public places.
The most important change this year, however, is the name change for the premises where help is offered on the Theresienwiese. The “Security Point” now becomes the “Safe Space”. This term is internationally established, especially in relation to sexualised violence, and is therefore easy to understand for foreign visitors to the Oktoberfest, as Manuela Soller from the Amyna Prevention Center explains. The Safe Space will be in the usual place, in the service center behind the Schottenhamel tent. It is staffed on all Wiesn days from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m., on weekends and public holidays from 3 p.m. The help is free of charge and anonymous if desired. “Regardless of whether it’s sexual violence, handbag theft or a lost group of friends, there is no concern that is too small,” explains Kristina Gottlöber from Imma.
The contact point is slowly becoming too small
The offer is well used. While only 28 women came to Safe Space in 2003, by 2019 there were already 299 women. This is due to the increasing level of awareness of the campaign and the increased social awareness of the topic, explains Gottlöber. A further aggravation of the situation could, however, also result in logistical problems, because the space in the service center only offers limited capacity. “If we look after five women at the same time, it’s actually going to be tight.” Nevertheless, the room is ideal thanks to the central location and the proximity to the police and security, a move is uncertain.
Of the 65 helpers, 13 are specialists with a psychological and socio-educational background, the rest work on a voluntary basis. 35 new helpers were trained this year alone. There are 14 people on site every evening, two of whom are specialists who primarily look after the victims of sexualized assaults. “We are well positioned in terms of personnel, but we lack the means,” says Gottlöber. In addition to municipal funding, the campaign is primarily dependent on donations. This also includes donations in kind such as clothing or blankets, which can be handed in at the Safe Space upon prior request.