The Havel Thermal Baths in Werder, located close to the city of Potsdam, are now putting in place stricter controls and gender-based restrictions after a series of incidents involving groups of men committing sexual harassment, violence, and stabbings.
“We had big problems, especially with groups of men, some of whom were also drunk,” Managing Director Andreas Schauer told Berliner Zeitung, while also referring to repeated attacks.
“Even groping guests and staff and even stabbings in the parking lot,” said the managing director.
As a result of these incidents, external security services were hired at the location. In addition, in order to limit gender imbalances, no gender may outnumber the other gender by more than 20 percent. If this limit is reached, entry may be temporarily restricted even if the thermal bath is not at full capacity.
The incidents have echoes of the various incidents at German and Austrian pools in recent years involving sexual assault, mass brawls, acts of disrespect towards pool staff, and groping attacks, which led to a massive increase in police presence and increased security. However, this time, the attacks are taking place in the mostly indoor and upscale Havel Thermal Baths, according to Berliner Zeitung.
Although “large groups of men” are described in the report, no description is given about their nationality or whether there are police reports available about the various incidents.
Groups of three or more now must register by email more than two days before their planned visit, and they are only admitted if they receive a confirmation email. However, families with children are exempt from this rule.
The thermal baths did not come up with these rules on their own, but were conducted with police and a number of authorities.
Since the rules were put in place, females say they reported feeling safe at the facility, and the general feedback from guests has been positive.
