Marseille beaches get safer thanks to anti-harassment app

The electronic device was first tested at a local festival

This summer the Municipality of Marseille has launched a new app, which lets women on the beach report cases of sexual harassment with the click of a button. The tool called “Safer Plage” (Safer Beach) aims to increase the sense of security for women and to decrease the incidence of bothersome interactions on the sandy strip this summer.

The app has three buttons depending on the level of threat that the victim is experiencing. These are called: “I’m bothered”, “I’m harassed” and “I’m in danger”. Clicking a button sends a signal to one of a dozen mediators present on the beach. The app uses geolocation, which directs the mediator to the person in distress.

In the worst-case scenarios, police can intervene, too, although this has happened only once this summer. The initiative's overall goal is to shame and expose the harasser, making it clear that such behaviour will not be tolerated.

“Safer Plage” has already been downloaded more than a thousand times and its services may expand next year to include more beaches and even the public transport network.

55% of women are afraid to go alone to the beach

The app's development stems from worrying statistics, which showed that one in three women have experienced some form of harassment on the beach and 55% of women feel afraid of going alone there and would rather do something else.

So, we have a real problem. Sexism sets the stage for gender-based violence and that can set the stage for sexual violence very quickly," said Nathalie Tessier, women’s rights councillor of Marseille, quoted by FranceInfo.

The city has already spent more than 100,000 euros to promote and maintain the anti-harassment system, including promotional posters on the streets and beaches and the recruitment of mediators.

If women decide to press charges, French law defines punishments for the harassers with ranges of up to two years in prison and a 30,000-euro fine.