"Hands off!" There could not be a clearer message against (sexual) harassment in a swimming pool. And so, with the start of the outdoor swimming season, the two swimming pools in Mainz are once again taking a clear stand against all forms of harassment. Three years ago, the municipal women's office launched the campaign for Mainz and won over not only the two swimming pools as allies, but also the Mainz women's emergency hotline and the police. With the far-reaching easing of coronavirus restrictions, many are looking forward to everything "going back to the way it was before." However, according to those involved in the project, this should be without assaults and harassment. "Keeping your distance has always been a good idea, and good ideas should be kept," says Eva Weickart, head of the Women's Office. The new edition of "Flossen weg!" (Hands off!) should help with this. The project conveys three clear messages: (Sexual) assaults of any kind will not be tolerated, crossing boundaries has consequences, and those affected will receive immediate help and support.

"Even if it is not the norm, seemingly accidental touching, staring, suggestive comments, verbal abuse, threats, or stalking unfortunately do occur. "We have been dealing with this issue for several years and are trying to counteract it with new pictograms, changes to our house and bathing rules, and in-house training," reports Torsten Traxel, managing director of the Mombach swimming pool. That is why he immediately agreed to participate in the project again for the Mombach swimming club in order to send a clear preventive message.

The same applies to the Taubertsbergbad swimming pool, which is run by Mainz public utilities. According to press spokesman Michael Theurer, the clear statement against harassment was convincing. "It is also important to us that all employees know what to do in the event of incidents."

An information sheet for swimming pool employees, the content of which was developed at the start of the project in Mainz in 2019 as part of a workshop for swimming pool staff, helps with this. The experts at the Mainz Women's Emergency Hotline and the police counseling center know from many years of experience that the vast majority of (sexual) assaults are not committed by strangers in public spaces, but by partners, relatives, and acquaintances under the apparent protection of privacy. "But regardless of where and by whom (sexualized) violence is perpetrated, it is always important for those affected to be able to seek competent help and support immediately," explains Eva Jochmann from Frauennotruf Mainz. This also applies in swimming pools, according to Ina Wernet from the police counseling center. She is convinced that "Flossen weg!" raises awareness that photographing, groping, staring, and peeping are not harmless fun. The clear message that perpetrators will be banned from the premises or reported to the police makes this very clear.

The project was originally developed in 2016 by the Equal Opportunities Office of the City of Recklinghausen and students in class B3GL at the Max Born Vocational College there. The state capital of Mainz would like to once again express its gratitude to the city of Recklinghausen for allowing it to adopt elements of its campaign and adapt them for Mainz. These include the slogan and the images, including the fish featured on the flyers, posters, and stickers.

The design, layout, and typesetting of "Flossen weg!" (Fins off!) were created in 2016 as part of a collaborative project between the Recklinghausen Equal Opportunities Office, the School and Sports Department, Sports/Swimming Pools Division, and students in class B3GL at the Max Born Vocational College in Recklinghausen.
We would like to express our gratitude for the kind provision of the project idea and design elements.