Eurovision could give rise to 15,000 cases of sexual violence in Basel between May 13 and 17, according to Basel-city. The cantonal authorities rely on an extrapolation of cases reported as part of other festivals. If it is to be taken with caution, the figure is mainly used to challenge the need to collectively seize the phenomenon.
The protection of violence and assistance to victims of the canton of Basel-city on Wednesday formulated this dizzying figure on Wednesday: he estimates that around 3% of the 500,000 visitors and especially visitors to Eurovision will undergo harassment or sexual violence during the event, which represents some 15,000 people.
Different studies but the same observation
To reach this hypothesis, the canton mainly relied on a survey carried out in 2019 in the United Kingdom by the British Academy of Human and Social Sciences. Out of 450 people questioned, A third of women say they have suffered harassment during a festival In the past 12 months, while 8% of women and 1% of men have been victims of sexual assault. In addition, among the victims, only a minority reports the incident to the authorities.
Another one American study From the University of Nevada showed in 2018 in 2018 only more than 90% of festivals had undergone a form of harassment, ranging from comments on the physique for more than 60% of respondents to assaults or rapes for 3% of them, passing by touching for more than half.
If specific statistics are still lacking in Switzerland, a Study carried out in 2021 on mandate of the city of Zurich Noted that 49% of people who have been victims of sexual abuse estimate to be “particularly often confronted” with such behaviors in the context of festivals or festive events, compared to 58% in nights of night life.
Large prevention system
Obviously, not all festivals are equal and some have more risk factors than others. Studies note that the figures vary depending on different social and contextual factors, including the age of festival -goers and festivals or the presence of a campsite. Eurovision, however, has several risk factors, including large crowds, a lack of places to withdraw, the festive atmosphere, the darkness and the consumption of alcohol.
Thus, if extrapolation from surveys is always a delicate exercise, the number of potential victims advanced by the Basel authorities is not extravagant. A large protection device will therefore be implemented. Among other things, it includes a 24 -hour telephone assistance line, mobile awareness teams and the opening of four shelters monitored in town. A total of 130 people will take part in this prevention system. What, perhaps, finish this week of Eurovision with less frightening figures.
Radio subject: Katja Schaer
Web text: Pierrik Jordan
