- Legal Basis
- § 184i StGB
- Sentencing Range
- Imprisonment up to two years or a fine; in especially serious cases imprisonment from three months to five years
- Summary
- Physically touching another person in a sexually determined manner against their recognisable will
Sexual Harassment (Section 184i StGB)
Sexual harassment was introduced as an independent criminal offence in the German Criminal Code in 2016 as part of the reform of sexual criminal law. The provision closes a gap in criminal liability for sexually determined physical touching that falls below the threshold of sexual assault (Section 177 StGB) but nevertheless violates the victim’s sexual autonomy. Expats should be aware that German law defines this offence broadly and takes it seriously.
Legal Basis
Section 184i(1) of the German Criminal Code (StGB) provides:
“Anyone who physically touches another person in a sexually determined manner and thereby harasses them shall be punished with imprisonment of up to two years or a fine, unless the act is subject to a more severe penalty under other provisions of this Chapter.”
Section 184i(2) StGB qualifies the offence where it is committed jointly by several persons (imprisonment from three months to five years).
Elements of the Offence
Physical touching: There must be actual physical contact. Verbal harassment or gestures without touching do not fall under Section 184i StGB but may be punishable as insult (Section 185 StGB) or under other provisions.
In a sexually determined manner: The touching must be sexually determined. This is assessed objectively considering all circumstances. Typical examples include touching of the breast, buttocks, or genital area, but other touching may also be sexually determined if it has a sexual connotation in the specific context.
Harassment: The touching must harass the victim, meaning it must violate their feelings in a sexual respect. The decisive factor is the victim’s perspective, taking into account the social context.
Subsidiarity clause: Section 184i StGB is subsidiary to more serious sexual offences (Sections 174 ff. StGB). If a sexual assault or sexual coercion is present, only the more serious offence is punished.
Typical Methods of Commission
Common cases include unwanted touching in crowds (public transport, concerts, festivals), so-called “groping” in nightclubs or bars, unwanted physical advances in the workplace, touching by supervisors or colleagues in professional contexts, and touching disguised as supposedly accidental physical contact.
Sentencing Range
Sexual harassment carries up to two years’ imprisonment or a fine. In especially serious cases, particularly where committed jointly by several persons (Section 184i(2) StGB), the sentence ranges from three months to five years’ imprisonment. The offence is prosecuted only upon application, unless the prosecuting authority considers ex officio intervention necessary (Section 184i(3) StGB).
Typical Defence Strategies
The defence first examines whether physical touching actually occurred — particularly in crowded situations, accidental contact must be distinguished from sexually motivated touching. The sexual character of the touching is also frequently disputed: was the touching objectively sexually connoted or socially adequate? The evidentiary situation regularly presents challenges, as witnesses are often lacking and it comes down to one statement against another. Finally, it is examined whether a valid criminal complaint has been filed and whether the limitation period has been observed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was ist eine sexuelle Belästigung?
Strafbar ist das körperliche Berühren einer Person in sexuell bestimmter Weise, durch das sie belästigt wird (§ 184i StGB). Es handelt sich grundsätzlich um ein Antragsdelikt, sofern kein besonderes öffentliches Interesse besteht.
Welche Strafe droht?
Freiheitsstrafe bis zu zwei Jahren oder Geldstrafe. Die Vorschrift ist gegenüber schwereren Sexualdelikten subsidiär.
Welche Verteidigungsansätze gibt es?
Zentral sind die Abgrenzung zur straflosen Handlung, die Glaubhaftigkeit der Aussage und die Frage des Vorsatzes.
Muss ich zur Polizei, wenn ich als Beschuldigter vorgeladen werde?
Einer rein polizeilichen Police Summons müssen Sie als Beschuldigter nicht folgen, und Sie sind nie verpflichtet, sich zur Sache zu äußern. Einer Ladung der Staatsanwaltschaft oder des Gerichts sollten Sie folgen – schweigen dürfen Sie aber auch dort.
Sollte ich vor der Akteneinsicht aussagen?
In aller Regel nein. Ohne Kenntnis der Ermittlungsakte lässt sich nicht beurteilen, welche Beweise vorliegen. Eine Einlassung sollte erst nach Akteneinsicht und in Abstimmung mit dem Verteidiger erfolgen.
Kann ein Strafverfahren eingestellt werden?
Ja. Je nach Beweislage kommen eine Einstellung mangels hinreichenden Tatverdachts (§ 170 II StPO), wegen Geringfügigkeit (§ 153 StPO) oder gegen Auflagen (§ 153a StPO) in Betracht. Nach Akteneinsicht prüfen wir die Möglichkeiten.
Summons or accusation of Sexual Harassment? What matters now
Make no statement to the police at first
As an accused person you are never obliged to comment on the allegation. Anything said to the police can be used against you. Provide statements only through your defense attorney and only after reviewing the case file.
File inspection comes first
A sound defense against the allegation of Sexual Harassment requires knowledge of the investigation file. Only once the available evidence is clear can we decide whether a statement is advisable or whether remaining silent is the better strategy.
Possible discontinuation of proceedings
Not every case ends in a main hearing. Depending on the evidence and any prior record, the proceedings may be discontinued for lack of sufficient suspicion (§ 170 II StPO), for triviality (§ 153 StPO) or subject to conditions (§ 153a StPO). Often a penalty order without a public trial can be achieved.
Victim-offender mediation and restitution
In many cases, victim-offender mediation or making good the damage (§ 46a StGB) can significantly reduce the sentence or enable a discontinuation. Whether this is advisable in your case is something we assess based on the file.
What we do after reviewing the file
We examine the evidence for reliability and admissibility, look for procedural errors, develop the defense strategy, negotiate with the public prosecutor on a discontinuation and represent you, if necessary, in the main hearing before the District Court or Regional Court of Bonn.
Available 24/7: +49 228 504 463 36
This information does not replace a review of the individual case. In criminal proceedings, the defence strategy depends substantially on the case file, the specific allegation and the evidence.
Why BAFTEH Strafverteidigung?
- Direct contact with your defense attorney – no intermediaries
- Available around the clock, including nights and weekends
- Fast file inspection and a clear defense strategy
- Focused exclusively on criminal law
- Defense in Bonn, Cologne and the entire region
Written by attorney Philip Bafteh, criminal defense lawyer in Bonn. Philip Bafteh publishes regularly on criminal and commercial law and defends accused persons in investigative and trial proceedings.
More about the attorney →Last updated: Juni 2026
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