Police recommend vomiting in the event of rape - women's rights activists are outraged

A prevention tip from the Bremen police on how to behave in the event of sexual violence has met with criticism. Vomiting is also mentioned as a possible reaction in an extreme threatening situation. If you can use your finger to trigger a gag sensation in your throat so that you vomit on yourself, you could stop the perpetrator who is disgusted by it. This is reported by the daily newspaper “Kreiszeitung”.

Accordingly, the Central Police Prevention Department, an office in Bremen, has been offering so-called self-assertion seminars in companies, authorities or areas of medical care for more than ten years. "In an emergency, such as an attempted rape, defend yourself with all the means available. Vomiting can also be an effective way to ward off a sexual offense," said Franka Haedke, spokeswoman for the presidential police department.

The women's rights organization Terre des Femmes considers this information to be inappropriate. “The advice to vomit in order to escape the threat of rape is more than inappropriate and puts the responsibility on those affected to prevent an act,” said a spokeswoman for the organization to the “Bild” newspaper.

“It is not uncommon for those affected to be in shock and freeze.”

A woman who said she had experienced sexual violence for years also criticized the reference. In an open letter on Instagram, she wrote to the police: “I vomited during rapes.” For her, however, this was not a conscious defense, but an involuntary physical reaction to the violence.

Terre des Femmes also points out that victims may not be able to act consciously in such a situation. "It is not uncommon for those affected to be in shock and freeze. Recommending those affected to vomit is therefore the completely right approach and should no longer be communicated." [sic]

At the request of the “Bild” newspaper, the Bremen police made it clear that vomiting was not a general recommendation to ward off rape. Haedke explained: "We can of course understand the indignation. Especially on such a sensitive topic, a single tip taken out of context can be irritating."

Vomiting is just one of many conceivable reactions in an extreme threatening situation. The police emphasized: "No one has to behave in a certain way. And the responsibility for a sexual assault lies solely with the perpetrator."

Terre des Femmes also warns against indirectly attributing responsibility to those affected through behavioral tips. The spokeswoman demanded: “In order to prevent such acts, prevention must finally start with men.”

According to the police, their seminars are primarily about recognizing threatening situations early, getting help and asserting yourself. The Bremen police offer various self-assertion seminars, including “Strong appearance instead of strong fists”. According to police, more than 1,200 people took part in prevention events in the first half of 2026.