Recently, Europeans, especially women, have been feeling less and less safe in their cities. The rising number of attacks, often linked to migrants, is increasing the sense of insecurity and fear among residents. We have already reported that migrant attacks and murders are occurring closer and closer to the Slovenian border. In less than a month, several attacks have occurred, in which locals were killed.
In Villach, just a few kilometres from the Slovenian border, a Syrian man recently attacked several people with a knife. In France, an Algerian man used a knife in a fatal attack just a few days ago, and in Munich, an Afghan man drove his car into a crowd. More and more incidents of violence are shaking European countries, while local populations face a growing sense of fear and helplessness.
Fear in Milan: “Every day I am afraid to go out alone”
In Italy, women, in particular, are feeling less and less safe on the streets of their cities. One woman in Milan described her experience this way: “As a woman, it is really staggering to live in such an unsafe society. I mean, I only see faces that terrify me, I only see unsafe people, I only see people who really could be potential muggers, rapists, who stare at me and do that little annoying look. So, I have to lower my gaze, hold my bag tight, hide my phone in my pocket. I can’t even be free to take the dog downstairs. Beautiful Milan. For the price it costs, beautiful and safe? No, never. It’s not normal – I shouldn’t be afraid. As a woman, I am afraid.”
This is Milan, Italy…pic.twitter.com/0T8lLjXtT7 https://t.co/VnYox72Qrz
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) February 24, 2025
Migrants do not integrate: the case of Finland
The case of Finland shows that some migrants find it difficult to integrate into European society and its values. The government there was forced to organise special courses for new migrants to teach them basic social norms, including that rape is a criminal offence.
Namely, Finland has been organising courses for migrants to explain to them that women are equal members of society and that consent in sexual relations is necessary. The teacher, Johanna, made things clear: “You cannot buy a wife. If a woman is dancing or wearing a short skirt, that does not mean she wants sex.” Some men reacted with disbelief, others laughed awkwardly at the discussion of women’s rights and homosexuality. The courses, supported by the police and the Ministry of the Interior, were introduced after a series of sexual assaults by asylum seekers. Helsinki’s deputy police chief warned of a “new phenomenon” of group harassment by migrants. Despite the courses starting in 2016, the number of sexual assaults by migrants has increased.
Europe is being put to the test
With attacks and incidents becoming more and more frequent, the question arises of how to effectively address the issue of security and integration. Citizens are demanding more security measures from the authorities, but there seems to be no solution in sight. And fear among women and other vulnerable groups is growing by the day.
S. K.
