Klaasohm on Borkum: Controversial tradition is finally coming to an end!

Klaasohm on Borkum: Controversial tradition is finally coming to an end!

On the North Sea island of Borkum, the St. Nicholas custom of “Klaasohm” causes outrage and a furor, as this custom, celebrated annually on December 5th, involves women being brutally beaten on the buttocks with cow horns. According to the public broadcaster NDR Many participants experience cruel moments that are characterized by painful fear and feelings of humiliation. One affected woman described her experiences by saying: “The crowd laughs at you, it's shameful.” The custom, which dates back to the 18th century, is now being questioned after this sensational incident caught public attention. In response, the association “Borkumer Jungs e. V. 1830” announced that it would end the tradition and concluded with the words: “We reject any form of violence and apologize for the actions of the past.”

The issue of violence within one's own four walls not only affects women, but also men. A recent study by the WHITE RING shows that every second man is confronted with intimate partner violence in the course of his life, with 39% experiencing psychological violence and over 29% experiencing physical violence. The 10.9% increase in male victims of violence between 2022 and 2023 illustrates how serious the problem is. In such a context, men are often perceived as perpetrators, which is fatal because they are also exposed to violent attacks. According to official crime statistics, over 34,000 men were victims of intimate partner violence in 2023, but their suffering often goes unnoticed and society dismisses their experiences as a relationship problem.

These two explosive topics - the brutal customs on Borkum and the often ignored violence against men in relationships - raise important questions about social perception and how we deal with violence. It is time to broaden the discussion and take clear measures to protect everyone affected.