"Dick-pic paragraph"

Plakolm calls for a ban on genital pictures

State Secretary for Youth Claudia Plakolm (ÖVP)

(Bild: krone.tv)

State Secretary for Youth Claudia Plakolm (ÖVP) has accused the Ministry of Justice of being inactive when it comes to digital sexual harassment. She spoke out in favor of a ban on unsolicited genital images, so-called dick pics.

"It can't be that difficult for me to apply a law to digital sexual harassment, because in the analog world it's completely logical that it's forbidden to show someone my genitals and harass them with them," said Plakolm. A ban on unsolicited genital images would have to be established via criminal law; the politician is not in favor of an administrative solution. The Greens had proposed this. "That would be like a parking ticket, which is completely trivializing."

It can't be that difficult to apply a law to digital sexual harassment, because in the analog space it is completely logical that it is forbidden to show someone my genitals and harass them.

Jugendstaatssekretärin Claudia Plakolm

Criticism came from the Greens on Thursday: "Unfortunately, State Secretary Plakolm obviously only wants to use the issue to make political small change shortly before the election and make a name for herself at the expense of the girls and women affected. There is no other way to explain why the State Secretary's office has ignored our draft bill for a dick pic ban for almost a year (...)", said deputy leader of the Green Party Meri Disoski. Her party had not been offered any negotiation dates.

In May, the EU Council agreed on a comprehensive law to protect against violence, which also provides for a ban on unsolicited penis images. The member states have three years to transpose the regulation into national law.

400,000 euros for child protection
Plakolm has now announced 400,000 euros for child protection. The money will go to associations that take protective measures and can still submit applications until October 15. Funding will be provided, for example, for further training, the development of concepts or strengthening the media skills of children and young people. "We want to use the attention now that the child protection campaign is still present and still hanging in many places such as train stations," said the 29-year-old.

The State Secretary for Youth is running in second place behind Chancellor Karl Nehammer on the ÖVP federal list for the National Council elections. Her mandate is considered secure.