“ Safer Plage”: An innovative initiative for the safety of women on the beaches of Marseille

Marseille's sunny beaches attract thousands of visitors each summer, providing an ideal setting to relax and cool off. However, unfortunately, they can also be the scene of unacceptable behavior, particularly harassment of women . To counter this reality and guarantee a safe and respectful environment for all, the city of Marseille has set up the "Safer Plage" initiative, an innovative application aimed at combating harassment at the beach.

“Safer Plage”: An Anti-Harassment Application for Beach Safety

Launched by the municipality, the “Safer Plage” application is a powerful tool to combat harassment of women on Marseille beaches . This free app allows people, especially women, to report acts of gender-based and sexual violence at certain designated beaches. Once the alert is triggered, specialized mediators intervene quickly to provide support.

Last year, the application was successfully tested on one beach, and this year it is expanding to four different beaches: Pointe Rouge, Bonneveine, Catalans and Corbières. Available until August 31 , “Safer Plage” presents itself as a concrete means of prevention and education, with feminist groups also participating in awareness raising.

Commitment to Prevention and Awareness

Harassment at the beach is a disturbing reality, with more than a third of young women having already experienced harassment. To combat this scourge, “Safer Plage” is setting up a team of trained mediators, identifiable by their “Médiation – Safer Plage” outfits. These mediators work in pairs to locate victims, ensure their safety and intervene with suspected harassers.

The emphasis is on prevention and awareness , reinforced by the efforts of feminist groups. Unlike urban spaces, beaches provide a static setting that can facilitate harassing behavior . An awareness campaign, including advertisements on buses, displays on the beach and in bars, aims to inform the public about this crucial issue.

Legal Support and Action

Although municipal police are trained to deal with discrimination and harassment, victims must file complaints to initiate legal action . Sexual harassment, sexist or recurring behavior is punishable by imprisonment and fines.

Marseille is thus positioning itself as a pioneer with “Safer Plage” , a bold initiative which aims to protect and empower women on the beaches. By ensuring a safe and respectful space, the city hopes to create positive change for generations to come.

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