Process start: former Red Cross official for sexual harassment charged

Process start: former Red Cross official for sexual harassment charged

A former official of the Red Cross from the Hermagor district is now on trial due to sexual harassment. The process started this morning and throws a shadow on the organization, which has already been struggling with internal scandals in recent years. In 2023, two high -ranking officials of the Red Cross resigned in Spittal an der Drau, whereby only one of the two was reported by the public prosecutor. These developments raise questions about the ethical standards within the organization.

Several serious allegations are made to the defendant. It is said to have committed sexual harassment, inappropriate allusions and the sending of explicit images, so -called Dickpics, in the past. Markus Kitz, spokesman for the public prosecutor, confirmed that the investigation has been completed and the indictment was raised. The allegations specifically affect the violation of the intimate sphere of two victims, with both incidents aimed at the genitals and the buttocks of the victims.

Charges and possible punishments

In view of the severity of the allegations, the accused could face a prison sentence of up to six months or a fine of 360 daily rates in the event of a conviction. The presumption of innocence is also pointed out, which also applies in this case. Another incident that was examined could not be pursued because the corresponding limitation period has already expired.

The case comes into a greater context of sexual violence, which has increasingly become the focus of the public in recent years. Data show that sexual offenses such as rape, sexual coercion and sexual abuse are considered to be particularly detention. In Germany, the number of sexual offenses recorded has increased for years, with a new high of around 128,000 cases in 2024. This could indicate greater sensitivity and notification, while a high dark field is suspected in non -known cases.

Social challenges

Around 91 percent of the victims of sex crimes are female. This gives the allegations against the former Red Cross official additional weight, since they are part of a larger pattern of gender-specific violence against women. Young people and young women between the ages of 14 and 20 in particular are particularly at risk. In addition, it is often the case that there is no or just an informal relationship between victims and perpetrators.

The need for social rethinking is urgent. It is required to suppress traditional ideas of power and a supposed “right” for driving satisfaction. The need to see a task overall in addition to police measures is becoming increasingly clear.

In view of the severe allegations and the social issue that develops around this process, it remains to be seen which consequences this will have for both the accused and the organization. The social and psychological consequences for the victims concerned should not be underestimated, and it is to be hoped that the case leads to more sensitivity and better victim protection.

For more information about sexual offenses and their social effects, we refer to the detailed analyzes that Statista presented and current reports from ORF Carinthia.