Berlin Demo: Thousands Protest Digital Sexual Violence & Deepfakes
Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate became the focal point of a large demonstration on Sunday, as thousands gathered to protest against sexualized digital violence. Police estimated the crowd size at 6,700, while organizers claimed over 13,000 participants, significantly exceeding the initially registered 500.
The demonstration was spurred by recent public allegations made by German actress and television host Collien Fernandes against her former partner, actor Christian Ulmen. Fernandes, through a statement read at the rally, highlighted the prevalence of sexualized and digital violence and the significant legal gaps that exist in protecting victims. “Sexualized and digital violence are more widespread than one might imagine. Currently, however, there are massive legal loopholes in this regard. (…) That has to change! We must no longer let the perpetrators get away with it! They hide behind a wall of silence, and that wall is high – very, very high,” the statement read.
A recent study on unreported digital violence, cited by speakers at the demonstration, indicated that only approximately 2% of incidents are officially reported. Demonstrators carried signs reading “Human Rights similarly apply online” and “Shame should be on the perpetrators.”
The allegations against Ulmen, first reported by the German magazine Der Spiegel, center on serious accusations of abusive behavior. Ulmen’s lawyer, Christian Schertz, has announced plans for legal action, arguing that the reporting constitutes “largely inadmissible reporting of suspicion” and disseminates “false statements based on a one-sided account.”
Prominent political figures were present at the demonstration, including Saskia Esken (SPD), Ricarda Lang, Lisa Paus, and Katrin Göring-Eckardt (all Green Party). Climate activist Luisa Neubauer also addressed the crowd, revealing that she has required police protection for the past five years due to threats from men, both online and in person. Neubauer stated that she receives regular reports from the State Criminal Police Office (LKA) regarding stalking and that a support organization has informed her of the proliferation of sexually explicit, digitally altered images of her online, created by individuals exhibiting patterns of control and devaluation.
Fellow climate activist Theresia Crone shared her experience with a fake online profile created in her name, featuring sexually suggestive and violent imagery. She emphasized the lasting impact of such attacks, noting that they persist in search engine results and memories long after they are removed. Crone recounted the lengthy legal battle required to secure a conviction in her case, highlighting the widespread nature of the problem.
The German government has pledged to address the issue through legal reforms. The governing coalition of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) included a commitment in their coalition agreement to reform cybercrime laws and close legal loopholes, specifically addressing image-based sexual violence and deepfakes. Federal Justice Minister Leif Hubig announced plans to present a draft law this spring.
Hubig, in a recent video posted to Instagram, stated that the draft “Digital Violence Protection Act” is nearing completion. The proposed legislation would criminalize the creation and distribution of pornographic deepfakes and allow victims to seek the removal of harmful content. The draft also proposes a three-month retention period for IP addresses to facilitate investigations.
Deepfakes, which involve digitally manipulating images or videos to depict individuals in fabricated scenarios, are a key concern. Hamburg’s Justice Senator Anna Gallina (Green Party) emphasized that perpetrators can be identified and prosecuted, despite the perception of anonymity online. Gallina has previously called for increased rights for victims, greater responsibility for platforms, and stricter penalties for offenders. Brandenburg’s Interior Minister Jan Redmann (CDU) echoed this sentiment, stressing the need for enhanced cybercrime expertise, modern technology, and a robust legal framework to enforce the law online.
In Berlin, Social Senator Cansel Kiziltepe (SPD) announced the launch of a new project aimed at combating gender-based digital violence. The initiative will provide training and technical assistance to counseling centers and shelters in Berlin, enabling them to offer more effective support to affected women.