Rape in the Laaerbergbad: victim breaks silence and shows perpetrators!

Rape in the Laaerbergbad: victim breaks silence and shows perpetrators!

In the Laaerbergbad in Vienna, a difficult case of sexual harassment and possibly even rape is examined. A victim who commented in the daily newspaper "Today" described the term "nuisance" as inappropriate, which illustrates the severity of the situation. On July 1, 2025, two alleged perpetrators were identified: a 31-year-old and a 41-year-old Bulgarian. Both men vehemently deny the allegations and indicate not to know each other. Despite their claims, they were indicated at large due to sexual harassment, while for three more suspects are searched for. This raises questions about the security precautions in public swimming pools and testifies to a worrying situation.

sexual violence is a serious problem in society. According to Statista, sexual offenses such as rape and sexual coercion are to be classified as particularly detention. The number of recorded sexual offenses in Germany has been rising for years, and in 2024 a maximum of around 128,000 cases was reached. This increase is attributed to greater sensitivity among the population and a higher notification. Nevertheless, there is a high dark field, since many victims for fear of allegations of guilt or due to traumatization refrain from an advertisement.

legal situation and perpetrator profiles

The legal framework for sexual harassment and related offenses are clearly defined in the Criminal Code (§ 177 StGB, § 184 I StGB). This includes sexual actions against the recognizable will of a person and unwanted physical touch. These acts can be classified from sexual assault to rape. The victim is often attacked by men, with statistically around 91 percent of the victims of sexual offenses being female. This can also be seen in the high numbers of rape, where about 94 percent of victims are women. Young women between the ages of 14 and 20 are particularly at risk.

The development of the number of cases shows that not only in the big cities there are sexual assault. The fear of such acts is also present in more rural areas. This must be taken seriously, including the institutions that are responsible for the protection of citizens.

social dimension and prevention measures

Social perception of sexual violence has changed in recent years. The high proportion of female victims can be seen as an indication of a deeply rooted gender -specific violence against women. It is urgently needed to suppress traditional ideas of power and a “right” for driving satisfaction. The responsibility is not only among the victims, but also with society, in which prevention measures have to be developed and implemented.