Violence in public spaces

Violence in public spaces, e.g. in the subway or on the street, in soccer stadiums or at trendy clubs, at work or in clubs, is largely male. This fact has been widely considered and taken into account with regard to the perpetrators; however, it is often forgotten that most of the victims of such acts of public violence are also men and boys.

And men in particular, who are already repeatedly exposed to psychological violence in the form of racist, anti-Muslim, anti-Semitic or anti-queer discrimination in their everyday lives, are also much more likely to become victims of extreme physical or sexualized violence in public spaces - up to and including the most serious bodily harm or even murder.

Maybe you too

• have been mobbed, harassed or beaten up in a club or on the street?
• been the victim of an assault at your workplace?
• been subjected to racist, anti-Semitic, homophobic or transphobic insults, spat on, brutally abused or sexually harassed?
• been attacked in your role as a "mediator", whether as a police officer, (arbitration) judge or social worker?

The fact that all these acts are often committed by people who are barely known or completely unknown, and who usually cannot be identified and punished, often leaves a nagging feeling of being at the mercy of the world. Thoughts of the violence suffered can torment those affected for a long time afterwards; there is no peace, no sleep, the mood increasingly deteriorates or changes back and forth in extreme forms seemingly "for no reason".

If you experience these feelings too, then get help! Don't hesitate to contact our helpline! We know that this first step requires courage - but it is the first and most important step back into your own life!