Process for sexual harassment in Gmünd: Witness is missing!

Process for sexual harassment in Gmünd: Witness is missing!

Schwäbisch Gmünd, Deutschland - On Wednesday afternoon, a trial against a 51-year-old Turkish citizen was held at the Schwäbisch Gmünd district court for sexual harassment and threat. However, the negotiation had to be interrupted and postponed because an important witness did not appear and was not available by phone. Loud Remszanung accused public prosecutor Engel to the accused of sexual harassment in three cases and the threat in one case, with the incidents took place in autumn 2024.

At the beginning of the negotiation, the accused made no information about the matter or to him. Since he spoke only to a limited extent, the negotiation was translated by a sworn interpreter. One of the affected witnesses, a 21-year-old woman, reported on an incident during a train journey from Lorch to Stuttgart, in which the defendant approached her, cross-border gestures and touched her on the buttocks. She tried to distance himself from him, informed the conductor and continued to suffer from the psychological consequences of the incident.

further witness reports

A 40-year-old witness described a similar incident on the train, in which the accused compliments her without being asked and stroked her over her arm, which led to a panic attack with her. A police officer confirmed in his testimony that the accused was determined and questioned on the basis of personal descriptions and is already known to the police. A third witness, who had another incident in the Brenzbahn, could also not appear for negotiation. She is accused of defending herself against the defendant after hugging and threatening her. The negotiation was postponed again to hear the missing witness. A video should also be shown in the sequel to document the incident in the Brenzbahn.

In addition to this case, there are reports of sexual harassment in driving lessons. A driving school in Schwäbisch Gmünd informed all students about allegations against one of their driving instructors and immediately ended the cooperation with him. According to SWR such incidents are not uncommon, especially since young women are often in a dependency relationship with their driving instructors and therefore hesitate, complaint to be reimbursed.

social dimension and support for those affected

The Federal Association for Women's Advice Centers and Women's Note indicates a high number of unreported cases in the event of sexual abuse. The majority of driving instructors work seriously, but there are repeated reports on attacks. In society, sexual violence against women and girls remains an urgent problem. According to the "Austrian prevalence study on violence on women and men", many women have already experienced serious sexual violence, with further data showing that not every tenth case of rape is displayed. Frauenberatung therefore calls for a political responsibility to improve the framework conditions for women and girls and financial security.

The negotiation in Schwäbisch Gmünd and the allegations in the driving school are part of a far -reaching problem that requires both legal and social improvements.