Action in Innsbruck

Help campaign in IKB pools

Innsbrucker Kommunalbetriebe AG (IKB) is launching a project against sexual harassment in swimming pools in cooperation with the Frauenhaus Tirol women's shelter and the Frauen gegen VerGEWALTigung association. Employees receive special training.

"I'm looking for Luisa" - with these three words, people who feel harassed in IKB's outdoor and indoor swimming pools can contact the pool supervisor and ask for help. This is a kind of code word that is already used in numerous establishments.

The background: if someone suddenly feels harassed by other people, they can quickly ask for help in unpleasant situations. In most cases, the staff will be contacted. In the pools, it will be the pool supervisor or the staff.

Setting an example against sexual harassment in the pools (from left): Katharina Hölbing (Frauen gegen VerGEWALTigung), Gabriele Plattner (Frauenhaus Tirol), IKB division manager) Ulrich Mayerhofer and Renate Rossmann (Hallenbad Amraser Straße).(Bild: IKB)

Intended as a kind of precautionary measure
Fortunately, the number of incidents is low, as Ulrich Mayerhofer, IKB's Head of Swimming Pools, explains: "Although we are hardly aware of any cases of sexual harassment in our pools, we still want to act proactively and ensure that our facilities feel safe for all visitors."

Girls and women can be harassed at any time and anywhere.

Katharina Hölbing, Verein Frauen gegen VerGEWALTigung

There was no specific case for launching this campaign when asked by the "Krone". Nevertheless, it is a further step towards a safe and respectful environment.

Precautionary measures for greater well-being
IKB is cooperating with the Tyrolean Women's Shelter and the association Frauen gegen VerGEWALTigung (Women against Violence). They are responsible for coordinating the "Luisa project" and informing the staff in the pools.

When someone asks for 'Luisa', everyone should know what to do. The posters alone make a big difference.

Gabriele Plattner, Leiterin Frauenhaus Tirol

"Girls and women can be harassed and molested anytime and anywhere. That's why it's so important that those affected also get quick and uncomplicated support in swimming pools and saunas," says Katharina Hölbing from Frauen gegen VerGEWALTigung. Women's shelter manager Gabriele Plattner adds how important it is to train staff: "If someone asks for 'Luisa', everyone should know what to do. The posters alone make a big difference." The campaign is simple but effective and an example of good cooperation.