Gelnhausen Swimming Pool – Concerns after allegations of harassment at the outdoor pool

Swimmers stroke their laps with powerful strokes, bathers bask in the sun on the lawn or doze in the shade. A seemingly picture-perfect day at the outdoor pool in Gelnhausen (Main-Kinzig district). But the idyll is deceptive: Reports of alleged sexual harassment of several girls just over a week ago are causing concern and alarm among visitors.

A twelve-year-old girl said she had a strange feeling as she left the swimming pool. "I think it's crazy that people do this to children," the student said. That day, she was on a trip to the Barbarossabad swimming pool with her class. The presence of the teachers made her feel safer. "I wouldn't have stayed here alone."

According to the Hanau public prosecutor's office, investigators currently believe there are eight female victims between the ages of 11 and 16. Four Syrian men between the ages of 18 and 28 are suspected.

"I think the girls were very scared," said a classmate, also twelve years old, about the alleged victims. If something like that were to happen to her, she would call her parents and then go to the lifeguard – "otherwise it will happen to other children." The two girls live in Biebergemünd, a neighboring town of Gelnhausen, and rarely go to the Barbarossabad swimming pool, as there is a swimming pool in their hometown, and they prefer to go there.

When picking up their two girls, the mothers reported that they had discussed with them how best to behave to protect themselves—for example, never going to the swimming pool alone, but only in groups. After the recent incidents, the two women say they will no longer allow their daughters to go to the Barbarossabad on busy weekends.

A 30-year-old swimmer from Gelnhausen says he was also at the outdoor pool on the day of the alleged attacks and witnessed the police taking the suspects away. "I think it's really terrible," he says of the reported incidents. "It's also a shame, because it's a great swimming pool. It's supposed to be a place for relaxation, recreation, and fun."

To his knowledge, there have been occasional incidents at the outdoor pool in recent years: minor assault, vandalism, and even sexual assault. However, these incidents were never widely reported. He thinks it's good that the alleged harassment of the girls is now a major public issue, says the 30-year-old: "Now people are taking a closer look and paying attention."

According to the State Criminal Police Office in Wiesbaden, 74 crimes against sexual self-determination were recorded in Hesse's swimming pools last year – for example, in the pool or in the changing rooms (2023: 78). The clearance rate was 82 percent. Of the 57 suspects identified, 55 were male, it said. The proportion of non-German suspects was just under 60 percent. "In general, we can inform you that outdoor and indoor swimming pools in Hesse are by no means a crime hotspot," the LKA stated.

The German Swimming Association ( BDS ) also sees a problem with staff shortages. "The number of skilled workers is decreasing, which creates the risk that we will no longer be able to keep an eye on everything and intervene accordingly," said BDS President Peter Harzheim. "Unfortunately, we are repeatedly resorting to less well-trained employees who are less proactive."

The reasons for the staff shortage are austerity measures following the coronavirus and energy crises. In addition, the baby boomer generation is retiring. "Pool operators had to cut costs – and the savings were mostly on staff, cleanliness, and safety."

What happened in Gelnhausen should not and must not happen, Harzheim emphasized. "In such hot weather, many people's testosterone levels rise, leading to blackouts. Many people lose control because the sun is shining on their brains." However, this should in no way be considered a trivialization of the incidents, the BDS president emphasized.

He said he could not comment on the specific case in Hesse. However, it is important to respond sensibly and objectively, especially in cases of suspected sexual harassment. The victim or victims must be protected and taken away from the crowd to a separate room – also to talk in peace. "At the same time, the police must be informed. There are female officers there who are much better able to address the problems of female victims. We are already trained in many areas, but we cannot cover everything."

As mayor, he is responsible for preventing "something like this from happening again," Litzinger said. The city of Gelnhausen will offer those affected every possible assistance – from legal counseling to psychological support.