Safe space at the Oktoberfest: Assistance for girls and women
The Oktoberfest is a peaceful, enjoyable Volksfest with approximately 6- 7 million visitors annually from around the world. When so many people come together, there can always be situations in which quick help is needed. That's why the successful campaign "Safe Oktoberfest for girls and women" has been in existence since 2003, which supports the health department of the city of Munich. This campaign informs female visitors in advance and assists them in unpleasant situations, for example if they are harassed.
Help in risky situations
Since 2003, three Munich associations have been working on prevention, education and help for girls and women as part of the "Sichere Wiesn" campaign. At the local Safe Space (formerly known as Security Point), any girl or woman in an emergency, feeling insecure, disoriented or threatened can find support. Anyone who has lost their friends, keys or orientation, for example, can turn to the staff at the "Safe Space" with confidence. They help the visitors to make their way home safely. But even in difficult situations such as experienced physical or sexual violence or psychological crises, the Security Point staff provide support. The police and the district administration department (Kreisverwaltungsreferat) also provide support to all victims.
The Safe Space for girls and women
The Safe Space, at which all girls and women can get help with questions and problems, is located in the Service Center, which is near to the Bavaria statue and behind the Schottenhamel tent by the “Erste Hilfe” (“first aid”) entrance, where the police are also stationed.
„Sichere Wiesn“ (Safe Oktoberfest): Prevention and awareness-raising
If you are visiting the Oktoberfest for the first time, you can find out in advance on the website sicherewiesn.de. Visitors also get these tips and information on the flyers, which are available in many hotels around the Oktoberfest or at the tourist information in the town hall, for example. The latest news can always be found on Facebook and Instagram . "More than 300 girls and women use every year. Around half of them come from Munich and the surrounding area, but many are also tourists from Germany and abroad." In the beginning, the counselling centre was housed in a small caravan, but now the shelter has a fixed location between the Wiesnwache (police) and "First Aid".
Opening hours and contact:
- daily from 6 pm - 1 am,
- Fr., Sat., Sun. and on October 2 and 3 additionally from 3.30 pm
- Phone: +49 (0) 89 / 890 57 45 188 (only during the Oktoberfest)
