Bayer joins the project against sexual violence in stadiums

Inspired by actions already taken in other countries and by other clubs, German football club Bayer Leverkusen is training employees to deal with cases of violence and harassment at their stadium. game, a stranger grabbed my butt, without saying anything. After the game, in passing, another grabbed me under the shirt. Where are we, that there are still people who think ‘it’s okay’?”

Sara is one of the few to publicly comment on an incident of harassment like this. “It is clear that the topic causes a lot of shame in the women affected,” says Andrea Frewer, of the Leverkusen-based Counseling Center against Sexual Violence, citing figures that are unfortunate for a society in which “5 per cent of women have already experienced sexual violence and 60% experienced harassment.”

“Louise”, the code

At various stadiums in Germany, Europe and the world, incidents like this happen all the time. It’s no different at the BayArena, Bayer Leverkusen’s stadium, in the west of the country. “We too are sensitive to the matter,” said Andreas Paffrath, who represents the club’s supporters.

Every year, four to five cases of sexual assault involving both women and men, spectators, employees or receptionists occur in the vicinity of the BayArena. And the number of unreported accidents is high.

After learning of actions taken by other clubs, such as Borussia Dortmund and Arminia Bielefeld, Paffrath and his colleagues decided to implement the already established “Luisa is here” project in Leverkusen. Until then, the program was mainly active in pubs and bars in the city, offering an emergency number and support measures.

Now, with the “Luisa” code, victims can turn to stadium staff for help and support. Dialogue, special rooms or even receiving an escort to get away from the unpleasant situation are some of the measures.

“We help on a totally individual basis,” says Paffrath. The main goal is to help the victim as soon as possible. Investigating or punishing the perpetrators is not the priority, “that happens next”.

just the beginning

For Jürgen Mittag, director of the Institute for European Sport Development and Leisure Research at the Higher School of Sports in Cologne, “The fact that Bayer has joined this project is admirable, because there is still a lot to do in this regard”.

It didn’t take long – more precisely between 2005 and 2015 – that the topic of “violence against women in stadiums” began to be addressed more comprehensively by anti-racist and anti-violence groups. From 2015 onwards, following the debates on safety in sport, the topic has gained even more prominence, Mittag recalls.

In addition, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, November 25, “has recently been incorporated into sports as well.” In the triad of problem, awareness of the problem and reactions, the current phase is between awareness and first reactions, explains the expert.

“It is not yet possible to speak of overall strategy, training, education and even counter-reactions in this country. But the first steps in the right direction have been taken, also with Bayer’s commitment”, says Mittag.

Anglo-Americans are an example of this

The United States, Canada and Australia are good examples in tackling sexual violence, significantly ahead of Germany in the field of sports, largely due to even more problematic cases, Mittag says.

In these countries, actions have also been more focused on players and coaches. “There are courses, anonymous assistance centres, information campaigns and much more. And this has repercussions on those who frequent the space linked to sport, such as fans, spectators and companions”. An extremely conscious and preventive approach, which would also be desirable in German stadiums.

Returning to the BayArena, in the last six months, all of the approximately 800 employees working on matchdays have been trained on the “Luisa” project. With stickers, information leaflets, posters, badges and even notices, there will be visible signs around and inside the stadium. Anyone who needs help will find it from now on.

“When women know that ‘Luisa’ exists, they feel safer,” notes social worker Andrea Frewer.

Source: Terra

Rose

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