The SPD proposes that catcalling be made a criminal offense in Germany
The Social Democratic Party (SPD) of Saxony has put forward a new proposal aimed at amending Germany’s Penal Code to introduce stricter penalties for certain forms of street harassment. Specifically, the SPD wants to criminalize behaviors such as catcalling, whistling, and making sexually suggestive remarks in public spaces. Under the proposal, such conduct would become a federal offense and could lead to prison sentences. The party is pushing for this change to apply across the entire country, rather than being handled at the state level.
The motion advocates for the creation of a uniform national legal framework, arguing that current German legislation does not adequately address these behaviors. As things stand, such actions are not explicitly punishable by law, leaving victims—particularly women—with little to no legal recourse. Pia Heine, a senior SPD representative in Saxony, noted that these behaviors are often dismissed as harmless or trivial, even though they frequently cause discomfort and distress. According to Heine, unless comments are “clearly insulting or offensive,” those responsible typically do not face any legal consequences.
This legislative push in Saxony mirrors a similar proposal introduced in October 2024 by the SPD-led government in Lower Saxony. That draft law suggested penalties of up to one year in prison or fines for anyone who “sexually harasses another person, whether verbally or non-verbally.”
SPD leaders believe these initiatives are necessary to better protect individuals from unwanted attention in public spaces. However, the move has sparked debate. Critics argue that this effort reflects an increasingly politicized form of social regulation and a potentially concerning extension of political correctness into criminal law. The SPD, however, insists that the goal is to ensure public spaces are safe and respectful for everyone, particularly women who are disproportionately affected by such conduct.
