A minor suspect was arrested in the Meilen district on Thursday.
It is safer if children travel in groups on their way to school.
Karin Hofer / NZZ
Parents have always worried about the dangers of the journey to school. In addition to the dangers of traffic, many also harbor a vague fear that their child will be harassed by a stranger on the way.
The letter that the schools in Erlenbach, Herrliberg and their joint secondary school sent to all “parents and guardians” on Thursday made this fear a reality.
In the letter, which is available to the editorial team, the four school principals state: They were informed in the morning that an incident had occurred in Erlenbach on Wednesday evening in which a secondary school student had been “attacked by a strange man”.
The student reacted correctly, she screamed loudly and defended herself. The parents immediately called the police.
Later on Wednesday evening, the police informed the affected family that another girl, of primary school age, had been harassed in a similar way. The school is in contact with the police. Anyone with information should report it directly to the police, the letter concludes.
The school’s announcement caused unrest in broad circles on the Gold Coast, far beyond the communities of Herrliberg and Erlenbach, as parents told the NZZ.
One father says: “Our daughter heard about the incident and no longer wanted to go to school alone. We discussed whether we should drive her or whether this would be a fearful, counterproductive measure.”
As is often the case in such cases, communication through the school is a balancing act: on the one hand it wants to inform, but on the other hand it does not want to spread unnecessary fear.
The Erlenbach and Herrliberg school principals wrote in their letter that the report should not cause the children to be afraid when they go out into the community. Rather, it should convey security and show how the child should behave in such a situation.
The school principals refer to a guideline from the Zurich City Schools Office that explains what to do if children are approached by strangers.
Over a thousand parents were informed
However, a second letter sent out by the schools on Friday morning provided relief. The police informed them that a suspect had been arrested.
This was confirmed by the security forces upon request: “The cantonal police arrested a minor suspected of the crime in the Meilen district on Thursday afternoon,” said a police spokesman.
Based on the reports about the incidents, the spokesman continued, they assume that they have “the person.” The spokesman did not provide any further details about the suspect, including his nationality. The case is now with the youth public prosecutor’s office.
What exactly happened remains unclear. This is the subject of investigations, according to the police. According to the spokesman, the wording “attack” used in the letter is based on descriptions from the school.
The police praised the school for its actions. They said it was right to talk to the children about the situation.
Katharina Paul, president of the secondary school commission of the two municipalities, says: “We are relieved that a suspect has already been arrested in less than 24 hours.”
The concern is great. “For all of us, the well-being, safety and protection of the children is our top priority,” Paul continues. The incident occurred outside of school and during school hours.
They “acted immediately.” At 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, over a thousand parents from the three schools were informed directly about the incident, as were all those responsible in the municipalities of Erlenbach and Herrliberg.
According to Commission President Paul, in consultation with the cantonal police, parents will be continuously informed about the status of the investigation.
She said she could “completely understand” that the parents were deeply worried after hearing such news. Paul said: “I was amazed at how calm and composed the parents and children reacted.”
Parents often take individual measures in such an incident: “Some accompany their children on the way to school, others organize themselves in groups to walk to school together.”
As a resident of Erlenbach and as president of the secondary school commission, she has not heard of an incident like this in the last ten years, says Paul.
Say no, scream, run away
In its guidelines, the Zurich City Schools Authority advocates speaking objectively with children about possible dangers. Informed and self-confident children are better protected from dangers than anxious, insecure children.
It’s about recognizing dangers and standing up for your own boundaries. Saying no needs to be practiced with the young ones.
The child should keep as much distance as possible from cars in the street so that he or she cannot be touched through the car window.
When asked by strangers, such as for directions, a child may be “rude” and simply walk on or refer them to adults.
The guide, which the police also contributed to, goes on to explain the most important rules. For example, that a child should never get into a stranger’s car and that they should not accept gifts from strangers.
It is safer in the company of other children. It is also important to follow the route to school agreed upon with the parents.
For child protection experts, it is clear: If they feel threatened, children should draw attention to themselves by asking for help directly, shouting loudly or quickly moving away.
It is also important to listen to the uneasy feeling. After all, children should not give out their address or open the door when they are home alone. Anything unusual should be reported to parents or teachers immediately.
Conversely, adults must also avoid misunderstandings. For example, children should never be asked for directions or anything like that. Nor should people sit in parked cars near schools.
