Berlin Launches New Project to Combat Digital Violence

Organizations such as women's shelters in Berlin are set to receive assistance in dealing with digital violence. (File photo)

Berlin is launching a new statewide project to combat digital gender-based violence in social settings. This was announced by the Senate Department for Labor and Social Affairs.

The goal of the “One Team Against Digital Violence” initiative is to support professionals at women’s shelters, safe houses, and counseling centers, thereby enabling victims to receive tailored assistance more quickly. “Berlin-based counseling centers and women’s shelters have been reporting a significant increase in digital violence for years,” stated the Senate Administration, which is also responsible for gender equality and anti-discrimination. “At the same time, there is a lack of training opportunities, technical knowledge, and standardized protection and response strategies in many places.”

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This is precisely where the new project comes in. It offers training for professionals, technical case consultation for specific suspected cases, and support in developing safety protocols within facilities. The goal is to specifically expand the existing support system to include technical expertise in addressing digital violence. “Digital violence, in particular, is increasingly intruding into the daily lives of those affected and often further exacerbates existing patterns of violence,” said Social Affairs Senator Cansel Kiziltepe (SPD). “That is why we are consistently expanding our protective structures in Berlin.”

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Miriam Ruhenstroth from the new initiative added that digital violence is part of everyday life for professionals at women’s shelters and counseling centers. “This goes far beyond the phenomenon of ‘hate speech’: perpetrators, for example, secretly install spy apps and track locations using hidden Bluetooth trackers.” This endangers not only victims of violence, but also, for example, shelters whose addresses are kept secret.