Public spaces remain unsafe for German women

According to Passauer Neue Presse, the survey conducted by the Civey public opinion research institute on behalf of the Funke media group shows that 55% of women reported feeling unsafe in any public space, including streets, public transportation, and parks. Clubs and train stations performed worst, with only 14% of women saying they felt safe there.

Among all respondents, including men, nearly one in two (49%) stated they did not feel safe in any of the surveyed public spaces.

The survey, described by Civey as representative of the overall population, was conducted online between October 23 and 27 with 5,000 participants aged 18 and above.

In response, around 50 women from the fields of art, science, politics, and civil society have signed an open letter to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, urging him to take stronger measures to improve women’s safety.

The letter criticizes the Chancellor’s recent anti-immigration remarks, in which he claimed that immigrants had “ruined the urban landscape” and suggested that girls should be asked about this issue.

The signatories wrote: “We want to talk about the safety of girls, meaning women. However, we want to do this seriously and not use it as a worthless excuse to justify racist narratives.”

Addressing Merz directly, the letter states:

“We demand public spaces where everyone can feel comfortable, and we want women to be safe on the streets and in their homes.”

The signatories listed ten demands, including:

• Better prosecution of sexual and domestic violence,
• Improved lighting and monitoring in public spaces,
• Incorporation of femicide into criminal law.

They also call for:

• Collection of reliable data on violence against women,
• Creation of shelters and safe spaces with adequate funding,
• Reform of abortion laws,
• Protection against digital violence and online racism.

Additionally, the letter urges policymakers to strengthen women’s financial independence and combat poverty among elderly women.

The initial signatories announced that they will upload their petition online on Tuesday so that others can add their signatures.