Sexualized violence comes in many forms: Staring at someone, demeaning language, unsolicited judging of persons and bodies, physical behaviour that crosses boundaries such as touching or sexual harassment and rape. It can be verbal, physical or psychological.

Supposedly less serious forms of sexualized violence such as unwanted intrusive behaviour and body contact are not always recognised as such or will be played down and normalised.

Not only the public of clubs and festivals are affected by sexualized violence, but also members of staff, volunteers and artists. And they are not isolated cases: sexualized violence happens everywhere – also in clubs and at festivals.

Sexualized violence is a targeted attack on the gender and sexual identity of people. It’s a form of violence, which is about power and devaluation. It mirrors the existing power relations also shown in the attribution of gender and role stereotypes and the unequal gender relations. Discrimination based on gender, gender identity and gender expression may occur together with other forms of discrimination such as racism.

As long as inequalities, power imbalances, sexism and hierarchical structures exist, sexualized violence will be omnipresent. But it can be called out, criticised, condemned and sanctioned in order to avoid future attacks and to support the disintegration of patriarchal power structures. We are all responsible for preventing sexualized violence.

Do you feel uncomfortable in a situation, hassled, harassed or are you being threatened? Are you unsure of how to assess a (observed) situation?
You alone know when and why you felt uncomfortable or when and how your boundaries have been violated. You decide how you want to act.
If you want, you can confine in other persons such as friends, other guests and/or members of staff. Or you can go directly to professional advisory services.

You will receive confidential and free support and counsel at advisory services – also anonymously by phone or online. For example, at municipal or cantonal gender equality offices, cantonal victim support centres or other services.