Goldene Bild der Frau Award 2023
CW: Sexualised violence/knockout drops
Successful petition against an article in FOCUS-Online
Rape myths: We call for correction by FOCUS-Online.
FOCUS-Online article:
“SEXUALISED VIOLENCE: THE VIEW OF LAWYERS AND VICTIM ORGANISATIONS”
Editor’s note
Thanks to a petition, we have been made aware that the text published here casts sexualised violence in a false light. We have amended the text and added comments, as it unfairly portrayed sexualised violence from one angle. The view presented in the original version was not that of our editorial staff and – inadequately flagged – only reflected the opinions of the cited defence lawyers. We therefore contacted the initiators of the petition. They included Nina Fuchs, CEO of “KO – Kein Opfer e.V”. This non-profit organisation stands up for the rights of victims of sexualised violence. Its views, which clearly reflect the perspectives of victims of sexualised violence, have been added to the article and appear in italics. We apologise sincerely to all readers who, for understandable reasons, felt attacked by the one-sided arguments in the original text.
Our KO Community Weekend
Our KO Community Weekend, which takes place once a year at the Diversity Lab seminar centre in Brandenburg, is a great opportunity for women (including anyone identifying as female) who have been affected by sexualised violence to meet in a caring environment. Given that there is so much shame and taboo surrounding sexualised violence, talking with like-minded people and getting the feeling that you’re not alone can be the key to healing and living with such scars. We want participants to feel that they are part of a community.
FEEDBACK FROM PARTICIPANTS
“I am full of love and courage and immensely indebted to every single person who was part of that weekend. I have always wished for a large family, one in which everyone looks out for everyone else, in which everyone can speak openly and, above all, one in which you can live without the fear of doing something wrong. After this weekend I don’t feel alone anymore, as I know my family is spread all over Germany and that we’re deeply connected and perhaps just a click, a phone call or a train ride away. What I take most from the weekend is that I can do anything. I finally know that again thanks to you. Thank you so much!”
Participant after the 1st KO-Community Weekend in September 2022, anonymous
“For me, it’s been one of the most important and beautiful experiences of my life. Spending the weekend in a safe space was so important. Such a contrast to where I live, where I am confronted with the offences and the perpetrators and with people who do not understand me. It was very important for me personally to see that life can be so different. And once again I realised how important and therapeutic it is for me to talk with like-minded people.”
Participant after the 1st KO-Community Weekend in September 2022, anonymous
“The weekend opened up my heart. The connection we all had was very empowering and supports me to this day. I learnt lots of new things and will definitely come back next year.”
Participant after the 1st KO-Community Weekend in September 2022, anonymous
Expert debate on the regulation of chemicals for knockout drops
The Health Committee discussed the abuse of knockout drops in a public hearing on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, from 4.15 pm onwards. This was based on an application by the Union parties relating to the chemical gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) which can be used as knockout drops (20/8528). The committee met for about an hour in Room E.300 of the Paul-Löbe building.
THE NEED FOR BETTER PREVENTION
The Kein Opfer (KO) organisation welcomed the fact that politicians were questioning the legal access to the chemical GBL. However, the problem is much more complex because the collective term “knockout drops” covers as many as one hundred different substances, including various narcotics, psychotropic drugs and liquid nicotine from e-cigarettes. It would make sense for event organisers, bar owners and club operators to attend mandatory awareness courses, for information posters to be displayed as a statutory requirement and for all staff to be properly trained. The organisation warned against shifting responsibility for such attacks to the victims and for selling them useless “anti-spiking aids”. It added that perpetrator/victim blame reversal would lead to further traumatisation and that the bitter reality is that it is impossible to protect against knockout drops.
You can read our full statement here.
Expert discussion, digital | “No means no in practice” Evaluation of the sexual offences law reform of 2016
One in three women has been subjected to sexualised and/or domestic violence at least once in their lives. All too often, the perpetrators cannot be held to account.
Since the 2016 reform of the sexual offences law in Germany, there has been a significant increase of almost 50 percent in the number of investigations into crimes against sexual self-determination. By comparison, however, there has only been a marginal increase in conviction rates. Against this background, we want to evaluate the 2016 reform together with experts and consider whether there is a need for further changes in the laws governing sexual offences and in procedural law. We cordially invite you to this video conference event on Monday, November 28, 2022, from 11.30 am to 1.30 pm.
Elisabeth Winkelmeier-Becker MdB
Vorsitzende des Rechtsausschusses des Deutschen Bundestages
[Image rights: Michael Wittig/CDU/CSU faction in the German Bundestag]
Consent workshops at schools
In 2023 and 2024, we were able to run numerous workshops on consent at various secondary schools and colleges in Munich, reaching about 400 students with important messages which have a proven track record in helping to prevent sexualised violence.