Lifeguards: Assaults and harassment in swimming pools have increased significantly
Open swimming pools in Germany are experiencing an increasing state of tension and chaos, prompting lifeguards to sound the alarm. The president of the German Lifeguard Association, Peter Hartzheim, expressed his deep concern about the changes that have occurred in the general atmosphere of pools in recent years, stating that assaults and harassment have significantly increased over the past two decades.
Hartsheim points out that the roots of this problem stem from complex societal factors, most notably the lack of upbringing among many children and the absence of clear boundaries in their behavior, alongside the tension resulting from the clash of different cultures that do not align with each other. However, he emphasized that bad behavior is not limited to a specific group or nationality, but also exists among the German visitors themselves.
The professional union of lifeguards is now calling for stricter and faster measures, including enhancing security and swiftly enforcing penalties. The situation is worsened by the increasing shortage of qualified personnel, especially after budget cuts following the Corona crisis and the energy crisis, which has affected the quality of cleanliness and safety in swimming pools. This shortage is expected to worsen with the retirement of the "baby boomer" generation in the coming years.
Statistics from the Federal Criminal Police Office support these concerns, as 1,140 cases of physical assault and 423 sexual offenses were recorded in swimming pools last year. What is alarming is that 65% of the suspects in sexual crimes are non-Germans.
A recent case in Gelnhausen has highlighted the seriousness of the situation, where four Syrian men aged between 18 and 28 are accused of harassing eight girls aged between 11 and 16. The Interior Minister of Hesse, Roman Poseck, described the incident as "unacceptable" and called for strict penalties for asylum seekers who commit crimes.