Mass sexual assaults in Cologne on New Years Eve

[Cellardoor1]

I've just read this and I'm shocked that such a thing could happen. A group of around 1,000 men gathered and assaulted at least 60 women and girls and also pickpocketed people. Apparently the news wasn't released until now out of fears it could stir up tension as the men appeared to be of Arab/North African appearance, possibly refugees.

abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/cologne-police-chief-condemns-sex-assaults-years-eve-36083833

Build that's often the case!

Arfur ugh, I'm not surprised: I know it's not unusual in some parts of the world (it happened to me very many years ago in Cairo - one guy grabbed me hard in the crotch whilst another guy grabbed and squeezed both of my boobs: broad daylight, when I was wearing jeans and an untucked shirt, buttoned to the cuffs and collar - and my XH and one of my students were right next to me!) but it somehow seems worse when it's at home. Strange how someone else's violation of you makes you feel so dirty and ashamed, though - they are the ones who should be feeling both of those emotions!

Mind you, when I was in Japan, the first thing my hosts taught me (at the airport station) was how to accost a "pervert" in a train carriage - apparently, there are even fetish clubs that replicate train carriages for people who have a thing about groping/being groped on trains (though strangely, they are mostly frequented by men, according to my hosts) - it's a bizarre world we have where this kind of unwanted and unwelcomed sexual contact is so normalised.

onthephone I didn't realise that you're in Cologne: that must be very frightening in the wake of this.

I like to think of myself as 'liberal' and make an effort not to harbour hatred towards any individual or groups but I dislike the Guardian so much, I think it's worse than Daily Fail tbh. DF know they are kind of taking the micky or at least I hope they do but Guradian News takes itself ever so seriously yet they do not provide objective journalism whatsoever.

How has it come to the point that women feel uneasy to mention the ethnicity of the man/men they were sexually attacked by?

Is there anything we can do about increasing women's safety and reduce sexual harassment by males, regardless of their cultural background whilst also starting to openly talk about the clash between some cultures and women's (human) right?

I'm sorry I am not very good at expressing this. But this is gender-based violence and needs to be addressed. What can one do?

Pinkchamp I totally agree with you re: the Guardian - it's just dogma in the mainplace, dressed up as intellectual discourse.

And you're absolutely spot on: this is GBV and should be treated as such.

pinkchamp I think women/girls are just supposed to 'take one for the team', tbh. That's the impression I get.
Have also read on other forums how gay men are also feeling less safe in certain areas with a higher proportion of ethnic minority groups.

I used to like the Guardian when I was younger but have gone right off it the last few years. I think it is similar to the DM in some ways and I couldn't say which I dislike more. (OK probably the DM).

Sorry to hear your story Arfur. And yours too hefzi. How incredibly violating.

Hugs for all you people who've shared your horrific experiences. I have had similar.... including in India.
Also experienced DV and I don't put up with any of that shit any more.

If anything it's helped me find my anger and my power. Have done self defence courses, and find my very loud voice to counteract any bullshit when it starts. TAKE YOUR FUCKIN HANDS OFF ME!!

Honestly, for years now I wonder why self-defense is not automatically taught to girls in schools... maybe some time it will happen.

Bitout - that's why I stay in cosy at home during any of that kind of stuff...
I'm never out on NYE or on Scheveningen beach on NYD. The horror!
and you certainly wouldn't catch me going into the sea

I don't think I could go out in the middle of all those fireworks, either. They're bad enough when they're in the sky.

This is awful!

Reading the thread and remembering the times when I was groped or harassed, what on earth do these little fuckers get out of touching a woman's chest or bottom or genitals 'on the fly'? What does the perpetrator get out of it? It can hardly be particularly gratifying, being so brief, can it? Is it an extreme lack of boundaries? Do they think we want this somehow in their twisted minds? Is it to show us 'who's boss'?

"Have also read on other forums how gay men are also feeling less safe in certain areas with a higher proportion of ethnic minority groups.'

What can one do?

sorry meant to say:

"Have also read on other forums how gay men are also feeling less safe in certain areas with a higher proportion of ethnic minority groups."

I can totally imagine this.

What can one do? Why does this go unchallenged? Politically, in the media etc. thank goodness for social media.

But this is gender-based violence and needs to be addressed. What can one do? Yes, this is gender-based violence and what we can do is what we've done quite successfully so far post-Enlightenment. We secularised, brought in laws which apply to everyone in the land, listened to scientific findings as opposed to incoherent mumbo-jumbo when making policy decisions, and have consistently fought for equality, justice for all and fairness. The last thing we need is to allow some social groups to live how they want. I only have a short time on this planet and I have no intention ever of even entertaining the possibility of regression. I have spent too long as it is engaging with unwanted and unwelcome crap ideas here and now, in my homeland, in Europe, because they have been allowed to take root here. The solution? A secular state (believe in what you like at home, as long as it is legal), embrace science, legislate for the acceptance of these values, sanction inequality in the home but especially in the workplace, public places, public institutions. Enough of this crap.

Iflyaway I feel a bit worried by your post. Implying that if the women had fought back / shouted this wouldn't have happened. Like they didn't try hard enough to stop it. That's a very worrying slope you're at the top of

And FWIW the women here did shout and fight back. It had no effect

Instead of teaching our daughters self defence, how about teaching our sons not to assult women!

Pink that's what it's about to show their power over women and their utter disrespect and disregard for them

It goes unchallenged largely (IMO), because those who are on the receiving end of this abuse (I'm so sorry Arthur - that's horrendous :( ) are largely left leaning, and the voiced (political and media - read Guardian) left are busy extolling the virtues of multi-culturalism and acceptance - seemingly blind to the fact that certain cultures do not value women, liberalism, homosexuality et al.

pinkchamp I think things only really get taken seriously when they affect white hetero men. Maybe if Mrs Cameron gets assaulted or something (not that I would wish that on any woman). It's alright for politicians though, isn't it, living in nice posh areas with their security.
fourmummy you are so right. The UK was moving so close to secularism as well. We cannot allow our society to fall under the influence of another religion again, especially not Islam. Personally I have hope it's not going to happen.

Pinkchamp

I'm with you on the liberalism and also could not agree more with you on
"How has it come to the point that women feel uneasy to mention the ethnicity of the man/men they were sexually attacked by?"

My liberalism extends to not accepting mass surveillance which will limit freedoms in the name of 'increased security', but neither will I limit my freedom as a woman due to my willingness to accept other cultures

Also have been a lifelong Guardian reader but have been increasingly disillusioned with it of late.

how about teaching our sons not to assult women!

If your sons are not the ones attacking people, your speech will be somewhat wasted.

When I say "our" I mean society's. All sectors of it. Instead of putting the onus on the victims to fight it off

I think the core problem is that these people don't see themselves as part of our society, though I agree it shouldn't be the victims duty to fight it off.

Came across this article associated with above on Twitter. Seems like a deliberate strategy being used, doesn't it?

Horrifying

I just read an article and I am relieved to find this thread. I am horrified this has been covered up.

Bit I see your point about why girls shouldn't have to learn self defence and in my ideal world it wouldn't be the case. However, I don't have the time or the inclination to wait for these Neanderthals to reach a state of enlightenment so in the meantime I hope the sd course I send my daughter on will give her the confidence and wherewithal to call out this shit if she encounters it. Of course I hope she'll never have to.

polentapies absolutely - in Tahrir, sexual assualt was being used to silence women who, ironically, were often the driving force behind the revolution: seems it's allowed for women to have a voice, until it gets too loud...

And the reason it goes unchallenged is exactly what Grace said imo

It goes unchallenged largely (IMO), because those who are on the receiving end of this abuse (I'm so sorry Arthur - that's horrendous sad ) are largely left leaning, and the voiced (political and media - read Guardian) left are busy extolling the virtues of multi-culturalism and acceptance - seemingly blind to the fact that certain cultures do not value women, liberalism, homosexuality et al We have to start challenging this "all culture is equal" bullshit, and that things are OK if they are "cultural": harmful practices are harmful fullstop, and we should never deal in the double-speak that allows culture to make femicide, rape or other atrocities acceptable because they are cultural practices. A violation of human rights is a violation of human rights, no matter when or where it occurs, to whom, or in what cultural context, and all are equally unacceptable.

fourmummy has it spot on: I'm a religious person, and my religious values shape the way I try to behave- but I don't believe these should be imposed on anyone else. Equality for all, irrespective of race, religion, colour, sexuality, ability etc is enshrined within our laws - but must also be upheld by them.

I think pp are right - it's another form of terrorism. Aim is to terrorise women. Show them that they are just pieces of meat.

Disgusting animals. I really hope Europe comes down like a tonne of bricks on these fuckers.