Essen Greens propose measures to combat catcalling

The Green Party faction in Essen has submitted a motion to the city council to strengthen measures against sexual harassment in public spaces. The proposal seeks to examine whether catcalling can be explicitly included as undesirable behavior in the local regulatory ordinance.

In addition to legal adjustments, the motion suggests sensitizing employees of the regulatory office, creating low-threshold and potentially anonymous reporting options, and involving the Municipal Prevention Council and specialist advisory centers. Hannah Berg, a member of the committee for digitalization and equality, stated that catcalling is often trivialized despite being an unwanted transgression that restricts the freedom and participation of women and girls in public spaces.