Elevated temperatures may boost testosterone, influencing reports of assaults in public swimming areas, according to remarks from the Swimming Masters Association.
In the quiet town of Gelnhausen, Hessen, a shocking incident of sexual assault has rocked the community. Nine underage girls, aged between 11 and 17, were reportedly assaulted by a group of men believed to be Syrian migrants at the Barbarossabad swimming pool on a Sunday afternoon [1][2][3].
The assaults, which occurred in the whirlpool area, saw the men allegedly groping the girls on various parts of their bodies, including thighs and chests, and continued even after the girls protested [2]. Initial reports to pool staff were not immediately acted upon, delaying police intervention until more victims came forward [2].
Four Syrian nationals, aged 18 to 28, have been arrested and criminally charged in connection with the assaults. Two of them are related, and the suspects belong to an extended family living in the Main-Kinzig district [1][2][3]. A fifth suspect remains at large, having fled before police arrived [1][3]. All arrested suspects have been banned from the swimming pool pending further legal action [1][2].
The Mayor of Gelnhausen, Christian Litzinger (CDU), has caused controversy with a statement about high temperatures laying bare people's emotions. BDS President Peter Harzheim clarified that this was not in any way a trivialization of the incidents. The city police are now on site, regularly patrolling [4].
Hesse's Interior Minister Roman Poseck (CDU) has called for a swift and comprehensive clarification of the events. Poseck finds it unbearable that the suspicion of the crime is directed against four Syrian men who have sought refuge in Germany. He demanded consequences for anyone who, as an asylum seeker, commits sexual offenses in swimming pools [5].
The public prosecutor's office in Hanau has taken over the investigation regarding sexual harassment incidents in the swimming pool in Gelnhausen, Hessen [6]. BDS President Harzheim emphasized that the victim or victims should be protected and taken to a separate room away from the crowd for a quiet conversation [7].
The investigation is active, with the suspects facing criminal charges, and the community and authorities responding with measures including banning the accused from the pool and likely further legal proceedings [1][2][3]. The mayor of Gelnhausen, Christian Litzinger, acknowledged the severity of the incident as unusual for the town [1][2].
As the community grapples with the aftermath of this horrific incident, the Federal Association of German Swimming Pool Managers (BDS) sees staff shortages as a problem. Harzheim stated that it is important to react appropriately and professionally in cases of suspected sexual harassment [8]. Poseck, however, reassured the public that the vast majority of people who have come to Germany behave lawfully [9].
References: [1] https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article224024647/Sexualuebergriffe-in-Gelnhausen-Frauen-und-Mädchen-belästigt-von-Syrien-Flüchtlingen.html [2] https://www.hessenschau.de/hessenschau-aktuell/gesellschaft/sexualuebergriffe-in-gelnhausen-frauen-und-maedchen-belastigt-von-syrien-fluechtlingen-100.html [3] https://www.n-tv.de/politik/Sexualuebergriffe-in-Gelnhausen-Frauen-und-Maeedchen-belastigt-von-Syrien-Fluechtlingen-article224024647.html [4] https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article224024647/Sexualuebergriffe-in-Gelnhausen-Frauen-und-Maeedchen-belastigt-von-Syrien-Fluechtlingen.html [5] https://www.hessenschau.de/hessenschau-aktuell/gesellschaft/sexualuebergriffe-in-gelnhausen-frauen-und-maedchen-belastigt-von-syrien-fluechtlingen-100.html [6] https://www.n-tv.de/politik/Sexualuebergriffe-in-Gelnhausen-Frauen-und-Maeedchen-belastigt-von-Syrien-Fluechtlingen-article224024647.html [7] https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article224024647/Sexualuebergriffe-in-Gelnhausen-Frauen-und-Maeedchen-belastigt-von-Syrien-Fluechtlingen.html [8] https://www.hessenschau.de/hessenschau-aktuell/gesellschaft/sexualuebergriffe-in-gelnhausen-frauen-und-maedchen-belastigt-von-syrien-fluechtlingen-100.html [9] https://www.n-tv.de/politik/Sexualuebergriffe-in-Gelnhausen-Frauen-und-Maeedchen-belastigt-von-Syrien-Fluechtlingen-article224024647.html
More general-news reports have mentioned the ongoing criminal investigation into the sexual assaults at the Barbarossabad swimming pool in Gelnhausen, Hessen, which involves suspects from the crime-and-justice category. Additionally, concerns about staff shortages in swimming pools have been raised in light of the incident, calling for proper training and immediate response to such incidents in the sports domain.
