Berlin Now Needs a Special ‘Protection Zone’ for Women During New Year’s Eve

After the attacks on hundreds of women during New Year’s Eve 2015 in Cologne, Berlin created a special protection zone for women.

The so-called “Women’s Safety Area” is a retreat for women who have been sexually harassed or assaulted. A spokesman of the organisation behind Berlin’s New Year’s Eve party says:

“We’ve had few problems in Berlin in the past, but what happened in Cologne is clearly affecting us”

In front of one of the white tents are two security employees and inside are people who are trained in crisis intervention, like psychologists. The camp will be used to help victims of sexual assault and to encourage them to report cases to the police.

Last year, there were 23 registered cases of sexual assault during New Year’s Eve in Berlin. During the 2015/2016 New Year’s Eve celebrations in Cologne at least 500 cases were reported by women. According to police, mostly migrant men were responsible for harassing and assaulting women.