(de-news.net) – The SPD has reaffirmed its commitment to introducing legislation that would criminalize verbal sexual harassment, with particular emphasis on the phenomenon commonly referred to as “catcalling.” The Parliamentary Secretary of the party in the Bundestag, Dirk Wiese, dismissed concerns regarding the differentiation between inappropriate remarks and socially acceptable compliments, characterizing such objections as a diversion from a substantive issue. He expressed confidence in the judiciary’s ability to make nuanced assessments, as is standard practice in cases involving defamation. Wiese underscored that catcalling, despite its seemingly innocuous label, constitutes a serious form of verbal sexual misconduct.
In contrast, the CDU/CSU rejects the SPD’s legislative initiative. Legal spokesperson Susanne Hierl criticized the proposal as symbolic and impractical, arguing that it would offer limited benefit to victims and pose significant challenges in enforcement. While acknowledging the offensive and disrespectful nature of catcalling, Hierl maintained that such conduct does not meet the threshold for criminal liability unless it qualifies as a prosecutable insult. She further cautioned that the creation of vague legal categories may undermine rather than enhance legal certainty.
SPD Deputy Parliamentary Chair Sonja Eichwede, had previously emphasized the necessity of addressing a legal gap identified by the Federal Court of Justice in 2017. She advocated for the establishment of a new criminal provision to address targeted and severe verbal sexual harassment, which currently falls outside the scope of existing insult or degradation statutes. Eichwede highlighted the psychological toll on victims — predominantly women and girls — who often modify their behavior or withdraw from public spaces in response to such harassment. She asserted that behavioral change should be expected of perpetrators, not victims. The proposal for a new offense was initially introduced by Federal Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig (SPD).
