Red bench in front of the city hall draws attention to serious issue
Rheine. Since this week, citizens can take a seat on a “Red Bench” in front of the New City Hall. The “Red Bench Action” draws attention to the issue of “violence against girls and women” and originates from Italy. In the meantime, benches in the signal color red are set up in many cities to sensitize citizens to this issue.
Together with Martin Forstmann, Head of the Road and Construction Department at Technische Betriebe Rheine (TBR), the Equal Opportunities Officer of the city of Rheine, Gaby Beckmann, has now also implemented this project in Rheine – as many Equal Opportunities Officers are currently doing in the Steinfurt district.
Mayor Dr. Peter Lüttmann points out that violence against girls and women exists everywhere, across all social classes and age groups: “It’s hard for all of us to imagine that there are victims of domestic violence among friends, in the neighborhood or at work – but let’s look together as a society!”
A sign is attached to the red bench, drawing attention to the support services offered by the “Violence against Women” help hotline. There, any woman can call 116 016 for free advice around the clock – now in 18 languages.