Recommendations of the Editorial team
Several thousand people took to the streets in Berlin on Sunday afternoon to protest against sexualized digital violence. According to the police, around 6,700 people gathered at the Brandenburg Gate, and the organizers even spoke of up to 13,000 participants. Originally only 500 people registered. The demo runs until 7 p.m.
Slogans like: “My body belongs to me – even digitally!” can be read on numerous posters. The motto of the demonstration is: “Against sexualized digital violence – solidarity with all victims”. It was initiated by the newly founded Feminist Fight Club! alliance, which wants to draw attention to “structural grievances and legal gaps in the context of digital and analogue sexualized violence in Germany”. Collien Fernandes himself called for participation.
Politicians are calling for stricter laws
The debate also gets a lot going politically. Brandenburg’s Interior Minister Jan Redmann called for more consistent action against digital violence: “We must ensure that police and security authorities can identify perpetrators online, prevent crimes and effectively protect those affected.” At the same time, he made it clear: “Digital violence is real violence.”
The Berlin Social Senator Cansel Kiziltepe referred to a new project against digital gender-specific violence that is intended to strengthen advice centers. Interior Senator Iris Spranger had previously called for her own law: “Anyone who hunts, threatens or degrades people online is attacking their dignity just as much as on the street.” Federal Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig also announced that she would introduce a law to provide better protection against digital violence.
Growing movement against digital violence
The high number of participants shows that the topic has attracted a lot of attention in a very short time. The demonstration in Berlin is not only an expression of solidarity, but also a clear signal to politics and the judiciary. The outcry online and the demonstration show that many of those affected and those who support it are no longer prepared to view digital violence as a fringe phenomenon.
The presumption of innocence applies to elms. His lawyer has already stated that “the reporting (…) was unlawful for several reasons.” “Untrue facts are being spread based on a one-sided narrative.”
