Berlin police are looking for witnesses after attacks on the Maneo project!

Berlin police are looking for witnesses after attacks on the Maneo project!

The Berlin police have launched a public appeal to find witnesses to several attacks on the “Maneo” advice center. These incidents occurred recently in Berlin-Schöneberg, with the attacks taking place on September 9th and 28th and October 3rd and 20th. In these cases, the windows and door frames of the offices were damaged, causing an estimated loss of around 3,000 euros. Combined with the statement by queer commissioner Alfonso Pantisano, who emphasizes that anti-queer violence is an everyday problem in Berlin, this sheds a worrying light on the situation for sexual minorities in the city. The “Maneo” counseling center has existed since 1990 and specializes in supporting victims of violent acts and in violence prevention work. It has received several awards, including from the Federal Agency for Civic Education, and is an important contact point for the queer community in Berlin.

In 2024, “Maneo” saw a significant increase in attacks on sexual minorities. According to a report, 738 anti-queer incidents were recorded, an increase of 8% compared to the previous year. What is particularly alarming is that the advice center estimates that 80-90% of these incidents go unreported, which suggests that the number of unreported cases of queer violence is lower. The majority of incidents recorded are physical injuries, coercion and insults. These numbers paint a haunting picture of the increasing attacks on queer people in the city.

Rising violence and attacks on queer institutions

A similar trend was already observed in previous years. In 2023, the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) documented 1,785 crimes against LGBTIQ* in Germany, which represents a significant increase compared to 2022, in which there were 1,188 cases. This increase reflects a backlash against the increasing visibility and awareness of the concerns of the LGBTIQ* community. The most common crimes in this context are insults, acts of violence, coercion and threats. An innovative and encouraging aspect is the decline in attacks on queer events such as Christopher Street Day (CSD).

The incidents documented by “Maneo” show that 76 attacks took place in Schöneberg, followed by Neukölln (74) and Kreuzberg (30). It should also be borne in mind that the number of attacks on queer institutions and memorial sites has increased significantly. In 2024, 62 such incidents were recorded, representing an increase of almost 60% compared to the previous year. These attacks often manifest themselves in vandalism, such as throwing eggs or bottles. To counteract this increasing threat, “Maneo” is calling on the Senate to provide increased protection for queer institutions.

An activated call for solidarity

The increasing number of attacks on queer people and institutions is not just a local problem, but a problem for society as a whole. The “Maneo” counseling center recorded a new record of 1963 counseling sessions in 2023, which shows the great need for support and protection for those affected. The federal government and the police are also increasingly concerned about the interests and safety of LGBTIQ* groups. The BKA has initiated initiatives to prevent crime and is committed to an open and tolerant society.

However, at a time when the visibility of the queer community is increasing, safety remains a key challenge. It is time for society to not only reevaluate the voice for diversity, but also to actively stand together against discrimination and violence. Any support for “Maneo” and similar projects is urgently needed, both to give the victims of violence a voice and to take a stand against hatred and exclusion.