The traditionally inert, neutral and quite homogeneous nation of Switzerland is not used to having cultural integration issues, which is why it has been watching recent events across the German border (and elsewhere in Europe) with sheer terror. And in order to preempt any possible outbreaks of refugee violence against women, or in general, ahead of the Lucerne carnival [4]starting on February 4, Switzerland is getting ready.
According to Blick [5], the department of Health and Social Services will use the following Austrian cartoon flyer dubbed "Ground Rules" which will be distributed to incoming migrants ahead of the noted Swiss carnival with hopes it will make it clear what is and isn't permitted. It lays out various instances of accepted behavior such as kissing and praying, while making it clear that punching women and children in the head is frowned upon in polite society.
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The flyer was modeled after a comparable one, also created in Austria last year as part of the initial wave of mass refugee influx.
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However, concerned that migrants would be less than inclined to read the text, the follow up was populated with "pictograms" or cartoons.
According to Blick [5], distributing the flyer was a spontaneous decision that took place "after the attacks in Germany on New Year's Eve" when Swiss authorities received a number of reactions, however they add that it was a preventive measure: "we currently have no problems."
Blick adds that currently in the canton of Lucerne there are about 1800 asylum seekers in three centers and nine temporary shelters.
As for the flyer, the local government has determined to "focus on role models, and equality between men and women." They "want to show that there is zero tolerance for sexual harassment. The motto is "If you come to us, abide by our rules."
A comparable flyer in Germany was found to have fanned racism with explanations such as "young girls feel harassed by demands such as asking for a cell phone number or Facebook contact, or marriage proposals" or "when nature calls we do exclusively on toilets, not in parks and gardens, and not on hedges and behind bushes."
Whether the cartoons will be successful in taming the refugees' more base instincts, tune in after the Lucerne carnival has started on February 4 to find out.