Winterthur bars introduce secret code system to help women in the night

Winterthur is introducing a new code to help tackle sexual harassment, reported The Local. Anyone who feels unsafe or uncomfortable on a night out due to unwanted attention can simply approach a member of staff and ask, "Is Luisa there?". Staff can then take measures to help her, including involving security staff, taking her to a safe place or calling her a taxi. There are 10 participating establishments at present, with more expected to follow. 

Participating venues – ten so far – will display posters and stickers in women’s toilets explaining the code. New legislation that would ban cat-calling and wolf-whistling at women on the street was proposed by France’s women’s minister on 16 October.

Marlene Schiappa told RTL radio: "It's completely necessary because at the moment street harassment is not defined in the law."  Schiappa gave examples of what would define harassment, including invading a woman's personal space by talking very close to her face, following a woman, and asking for a woman’s number multiple times.

The law, which would mean on-the-spot fines for those hassling women on the street, will be voted on next year. Winterthur has become the first city in Switzerland to introduce the scheme, which is already used in Germany.