A recent report reveals that young people, particularly women, feel increasingly unsafe in Copenhagen’s nightlife due to harassment and unwanted advances. The Municipality of Copenhagen is addressing the issue following a survey indicating a significant percentage of young women feeling unsafe in the city at night.

The survey highlights that over one in five women aged 15-29 feel unsafe moving around Copenhagen in the evenings and at night, compared to approximately one in ten Copenhageners overall. This insecurity is often linked to boundary-crossing behavior, including verbal harassment, unwanted advances, and threats. For example, 11 percent of young people between 15-29 years are concerned about harassment and unpleasant shouts in their neighborhood, while this applies to seven percent of citizens over 30 years. Additionally, 8 percent of young people between 15-29 years are concerned about sexually offensive behavior in their neighborhood, compared to four percent of citizens over 30 years.

Copenhagen’s Mayor for Children and Youth, Jakob Næsager, expressed serious concern about the findings. Næsager also acknowledged the “problematic” extent of violence and rapes in Copenhagen. In 2024, the old city center, Middelalderbyen, saw 575 reports of violence and 34 reports of rape.

The municipality aims to ensure that at least 75 percent of citizens feel safe in their neighborhoods at night. While most districts meet this target for the general population, six districts fall short among 15- to 29-year-olds.

To combat this issue, Næsager plans to increase the number of safety guards in the city, suggesting redeployment from the parking area to bolster their presence in nightlife areas. He also advocates for a coordinated effort with the police to be prepared when the summer holidays are over.

A separate national survey supports the trend. While over 85 percent of young people between 16 and 35 feel safe in the city, 17 percent of women reported feeling unsafe. Approximately six out of ten women reported experiencing unpleasant or degrading comments or unwanted sexual attention in nightlife. The Danish National Crime Prevention Council suggests focusing on the positive aspects of nightlife and ensuring safe, well-lit urban spaces with accessible public transportation. They also emphasize involving young people in creating solutions.