A legal assessment from Germany’s Federal Anti‑Discrimination Office shows that people in most European countries enjoy stronger protection against sexual harassment than in Germany. The opinion was reported by the newspapers of the “Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland”.
According to the report, every country that took part in the survey explicitly prohibits sexual harassment in both general civil law and in labour law. All of them banned it at least when providing goods and services. In many states the scope extends further to health care, housing rentals, and cultural events. No other country restricts the offence to the workplace only, as Germany does.
In numerous European nations public‑sector rules – for example in education – also guard against sexual harassment. The assessment notes that Germany ranks last in Europe. For victims this means that, were they subjected to lewd gestures, glances, or remarks from colleagues, they could seek damages and their employer would be required to act. By contrast, if a landlord verbally harasses a tenant or a driving instructor unexpectedly shows pornographic images, victims largely have no legal recourse.
Federal Anti‑Discrimination Office Director Ferda Ataman told the RND that sexual harassment is a form of discrimination that must be better protected, especially for women-a “tolerable state” for those affected, she said. She added that the government’s announced reform of the General Equal Treatment Act should address protection in housing, fitness studios and driving schools.
A spokesperson from the Federal Ministry of Justice pointed out that harassing behaviour that exploits power dynamics is already punishable under current law, yet “there remains some legislative necessity”. She also noted that the coalition agreement of the CDU, CSU and SPD commits to improving discrimination protection, and that the government is examining how best to implement these provisions.